Halloween is a night of scary fun! But the holiday can hold real danger for those who celebrate it. There are many ways for Halloween night to end in disaster. Costumes and props can cause accidents, while candles can start fires. Even carving pumpkins can injure children and adults alike, possibly ending in an Emergency Room visit. Be sure to take extra precautions to prevent a nightmarish ordeal.
Dress Your Children in Safe Costumes
It’s great to be creative with your child’s costume, but make sure your creativity does not come at the expense of their safety. While dressed in their costumes, children should be able to see where they’re going and what’s happening around them. Masks can hinder their view, so consider putting makeup on them instead. Long and heavy costumes can also cause kids to trip and fall, so make sure they are big enough to handle what they’re wearing.
Because of the dark streets at night, oncoming cars might have difficulty spotting them. Have your child wear a light-colored fabric or stick reflective tape on their costumes. You might also equip them with a flashlight or something that glows in the dark.
Never Let Children Trick or Treat Alone
Children under 12 should always be with an adult when they’re trick-or-treating. Older kids can go in a group and look out for each other. They should carry a cell phone, too, so their parents can contact them and vice versa. Before your children head out, ask them about their route and what time they expect to be home. Also, remind them never to enter a stranger’s home or car and only trick or treat at houses with lights on.
Parents should also take the risk of drunk drivers seriously when children stay out late. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children are at a much higher risk of being killed by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year.
Keep Your Guests and Visitors Safe
If you’re giving treats to visitors, clear any props or decor that could fall on them or make them trip. In addition, keep your pets inside the house to prevent any bites or attacks.
If you’re hosting a Halloween party at home, offer enough food for your guests. That way, they’re not drinking on an empty stomach. You can provide non-alcoholic options, too. Be a responsible host by keeping guests’ car keys until they’ve sobered up, and call taxis for those who need a ride home. You can also let them stay the night to be safe.
Be a Careful Driver
If you’re driving on Halloween night, be extra careful and look out for trick-or-treaters. They’ll likely be in places you wouldn’t expect, like between parked vehicles and behind bushes. You should slow down, keep scanning the road, and let trick-or-treaters pass safely.
Like any other occasion, do not drive if you’ve had any alcohol to drink. Inform law enforcement immediately if you see any drunk drivers behind the wheel.
Be a Careful Pedestrian
Even if it’s Halloween, don’t expect cars to stop for you. Keep yourself safe by using sidewalks, crosswalks, and lit streets. If you have to use the road, it’s better to walk against traffic than to face away from it.
The Bottom Line:
Whether you’re a party host, trick-or-treater, or driver, everyone has a role to play in keeping Halloween a safe holiday. For more information, you can contact Friedman Law Offices at (402)476-1093.