BUFFALO, N.Y. — As we inch ghoulishly closer to Halloween this weekend, medical experts want to remind parents that children should be wearing their CDC recommended mask.

The CDC recommends not using a costume mask as a substitute for a cloth mask. The Chief of Infectious Diseases in the Pediatrics Department of UB's School of Medicine explained why a regular Halloween mask just won't work.

"Plastic or any other type of Halloween mask will not work because it will not block droplets coming out of the child's mouth and will not protect the child from viruses that may be in the environment," said Dr. Oscar Gomez.

Dr. Gomez also says kids should not be double-masking, meaning do not wear a cloth mask and your Halloween mask at the same time, as it can make it hard for a child to breathe.

Instead, Dr. Gomez and the CDC are encouraging using a Halloween-themed cloth mask. It still goes with a costume, but it's safe.

Fashion Lab New York Founder Arlene Kaye and Lead Instructor Emlee Koss showed Spectrum News how to turn any mask into a mask that is perfect for a Halloween costume. 

One way is with felt.

Koss says you can easily cut felt into any shape and sew it onto a mask. You can also use something called Heat N' Bond, which can be found at any local craft store. 

This two-sided adhesive paper glues onto felt. The second side can stick to the mask. You then take an iron and run over the piece of felt to secure it on the mask. This whole process only takes a few minutes. 

Kaye also recommends printing out designs and ironing them on with a die-cut machine, which can also be found at many craft stores. 

"It's a fun next step," said Kaye. "Either on a mask that has already been bought, or something you make yourself."

You can check out Fashion Lab NY online, which also just recently moved locations from Hertel Avenue to the King Urban Life Center.