Halloween is just around the corner, and families are getting ready with costumes, decorations, and plenty of excitement for the big night. With all the fun and festivities, it’s easy to forget about the potential risks that come with busy streets, dark walkways, and eager trick-or-treaters. This year, take a few simple precautions to help prevent slips, falls, and other accidents — and keep the night safe for everyone. At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, we care about your well-being and hope our Halloween safety tips help you enjoy a safe and memorable celebration.
Halloween Safety Tips
Young Children Should Always be Supervised
Young children should always be accompanied by an adult while trick-or-treating. Whether you join them on their Halloween adventure or ensure they’re with a trusted adult, supervision is key. If your older children are heading out without adult supervision, stress the importance of going in groups and staying together. Set agreed-upon check-in times and clearly define the areas where they’re allowed to go.
Costumes Should Make the Wearer More Visible, Not Less
In late October, the suns sets early. Children in dark-colored costumes can be difficult for drivers to see, which can lead to tragic accidents. Encourage your children to choose white or light-colored costumes to make themselves more visible. For added visibility, you can outfit them with reflectors and flashlights.
Trick-or-Treaters Should Always Follow Traffic Laws
Halloween is a notoriously dangerous night for collisions between motorists and trick-or-treaters. If you are a parent taking your children out on Halloween, make sure they follow all traffic laws like crossing the street at crosswalks and waiting until it is safe to do so before crossing. If you have older children who will be heading out on their own, go over pedestrian safety with them before they go out for the night.
Avoid Open Flames
This Halloween, choose LED candles for your jack-o-lanterns instead of actual candles. A child can accidentally kick over a jack-o-lantern and cause a fire.
Visibility Should Always be a Priority
Trick-or-treaters as well as adults giving out candy on Halloween night can take steps to increase visibility and prevent trips and falls.
Parents should steer their children toward costumes that do not obscure their vision. One way to do this is to choose make-up instead of a mask to alter a child’s appearance. When this is not possible, children should be instructed to remove their masks when walking from home to home.
Homeowners can help keep trick-or-treaters safe by ensuring their property is well-lit and easy to navigate. Clearly mark the path from the sidewalk to your front door, and if there are any obstacles that can’t be moved, make them visible or rope them off to prevent trips and falls.
Speak to an Experienced Long Island Personal Injury Attorney
If you or your child are injured in an accident that could have been prevented, you have the right to pursue monetary compensation for your related damages through a personal injury claim. Learn more by scheduling your initial consultation with one of the personal injury attorneys on our team at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP. The consultation is free, and if you don’t win, we don’t get paid!