Tips for Avoiding the Most Common Accidents on Halloween

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Tips for Avoiding the Most Common Accidents on Halloween

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Injury Attorneys Serving Chicagoland’s Halloween Accident Victims

Halloween is the time of year when everyone gets to be something else. Whether that is a ghost, goblin, a favorite superhero, or professional they’ve always wanted to be, it is all about the fun. But, Halloween is also notorious for something else: Accidents.

Regardless of whether you plan to trick-or-treat, let the kids go wild, or drive somewhere in the city, it is important to know what hazards lie ahead – and how to avoid them.

Auto-Pedestrian Accidents

Halloween sees one of the highest numbers of automobile versus pedestrian accidents than any other day of the year. In fact, kids are four times more likely to be struck by a vehicle on Halloween while trick-or-treating. You can keep yourself and your children safe by:

• Using reflective tape on their costumes. This will make them more visible to cars that are out on the roads. Also, implement glow sticks. They will add character to your child’s costume, but also add in necessary visibility.
• Teach your child to look both ways before they cross – even if they are using a designated crosswalk. Because it is dark, drivers may not be looking for pedestrians as they should.
• You and your children should not run out between parked cars. Vehicles do not look between cars for children or adults.

Costume Injuries

Costumes can also lead to injuries. From slips, trips, falls, and even spills down stairs. Make sure everyone in the house is wearing a costume that they can safely walk around in. If it is too long, consider replacing it or hemming the costume. Also, make sure any masks do not block the field of vision. If your child cannot see where to go, then he or she needs another costume.

If you are driving, remove as much of your costume as you can – and never wear a mask or another head piece that blocks your field of vision.

Lawns

It is both a safety precaution and polite to stay off other people’s lawns. Teach your children to walk along the sidewalks instead of crossing over the grass. Also, there could be strings or wires used to hold up Halloween decorations. When your child or you enter someone’s yard instead of using the sidewalk, you are at risk for a trip.

As a homeowner, do what you can to keep people off your lawn. Also, make sure the porch and sidewalks are well-lit. If you have a tripping hazard that you have not yet corrected, consider sitting outside and handing out candy so that children do not approach the hazard.

Injured on Halloween? Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

If you and your loved ones were out enjoying the festivities and someone was injured, contact an attorney right away. Regardless of the type of accident, having an advocate there to ensure you receive adequate compensation is important. Schedule a consultation now with the attorneys at Malman Law. You can contact us 24 hours per day, seven days a week by phone or request more information via our online contact form.