Halloween is among the most anticipated holidays of the year – for children and adults alike. Candy and costumes bring out the kid in all of us. However, Halloween is also full of potential hazards. Follow these simple safety tips to keep your ghouls and goblins safe on Halloween.
Candy
Most children will say that candy and treats are the best part of Halloween. Yet snacks accepted from strangers are not always safe to eat. Children should never consume any treats that are homemade, unwrapped, expired, or appear to be tampered with in any way. Kids should wait to get home before diving into their treats. Gumballs and hard candies are choking hazards for young children and should be discarded.
Costumes
Halloween costumes are an expression of a child’s imagination and creativity, but they also need to be practical and safe. Choose costumes and accessories that are flame resistant. Masks and other headgear should not obstruct a child’s vision. Weapons should be soft and flexible. Costumes should not be too long or pose a tripping hazard, so that kids can walk freely. Glow sticks or reflective tape can be added to dark costumes for nighttime visibility.
Decorating
What would Halloween be without skeletons and jack-o-lanterns? For a safe Halloween haunt, choose decorating without an open flame. Opt for glow sticks or battery-operated candles instead. Doorways should be well-lit and unobstructed by decorations. Wires should be taped down securely to prevent slip and fall accidents. For exterior displays, use weather-proof outdoor extension cords to prevent a fire.
Trick or Treating
Kids aged twelve and under should trick or treat with a parent or guardian. Children of all ages should trick or treat in groups. Tricks or treaters should stay in familiar areas, only stopping at well-lit homes. Parents with older children can set a curfew and stay in contact by cell phone.
Because children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween as any other night of the year, pedestrian safety is crucial. To prevent serious accidents, parents and children should always travel on sidewalks and cross at crosswalks and corners, not between cars. In the evening, flashlights help light the way for trick or treaters.
Driving
It is not only parents and children who need to be cautious on Halloween. Drivers traveling through neighborhoods filled with trick or treaters need to be vigilant for children on the move. In the excitement of Halloween, kids often dart out into the street without looking. Drivers must reduce their speed, anticipate pedestrians, stay sober, and put down the phone.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2013, drunk drivers caused 26 percent of pedestrian deaths on Halloween. Driving while intoxicated is never acceptable, and on Halloween when the streets are filled with children, it is a recipe for disaster.
Media Personal Injury Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Help Injured Victims and Their Families Obtain Justice and Compensation
Halloween is a great day to make memories with family and friends. However, the risk of car accidents, pedestrian accidents, and slip and fall accidents increases significantly on this holiday. The Media personal injury lawyers at the law firm Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. help those injured because of another person’s negligence. Call 610-565-3701 today to schedule a free consultation with a seasoned member of our legal team, or contact us online. From our offices in Media and West Chester, we represent clients throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania.