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Answers To Common Questions About Halloween Safety


Experts In This Article

What is the most dangerous time for child pedestrians to be out on Halloween night? Over 60% of the accidents occurred in the 4-hour period ranging from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Halloween night; nearly one-fourth (26 out of 115) of accidents occurred from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Which age group is most at-risk to be involved in a pedestrian-related accident / fatality on Halloween night? Most fatalities occurred with children ages 12-15 (32% of all child fatalities), followed by children ages 5-8 (23%).

What was the single most common Halloween injury, according to a recent study?

According to a recent study that examined holiday-related pediatric emergency room visits, Halloween is among the top three holidays producing the most ER visits. The single most common Halloween injury was finger/hand injuries, with the majority of those being cuts and broken bones.

What are the three most common ways injuries occur on Halloween?MAccording to Prevention 1st, these are the three most common ways injuries occur on Halloween:

  • Traffic collisions / pedestrian accidents
  • Eye injuries
  • Burn injuries

What percentage of car accidents involves a drunk driver on Halloween night? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2012, 48% of all car accident fatalities on Halloween night involved a drunk driver.

Which age group of drivers posed the greatest risk to child pedestrians on Halloween night? Young drivers ages 15-25 accounted for nearly one-third of all fatal accidents involving child pedestrians on Halloween. If you have teen drivers, discourage them from being on the roads Halloween night.

Which age group of drivers posed the least risk to child pedestrians on Halloween night? Drivers ages 36-40 and 61-65 were involved in the fewest child pedestrian fatalities on Halloween.

What are some Halloween costume safety tips?

  • Costumes, masks and shoes should fit snug to avoid a trip-and-fall and vision impediments
  • Costume masks should not interfere with vision.
  • Costume accessories, including plastic swords, knives, etc. should be kept short, soft and flexible.
  • Avoid costumes with elaborate props- especially weapons or wands. These make for great photo ops at home, but children should leave them behind when going trick-or-treating.
  • Make sure you child’s costume has reflective stickers on it and choose a costume that has light colors.
  • Never walk near lit candles or jack-o-lanterns that can catch costumes on fire. Make sure your child’s costume is flame-resistant.
  • ALWAYS test make-up and face paint on a small area of skin, first. Wash it off thoroughly when the night is over to prevent a skin infection and eye irritation.
  • Make sure your child has a bright-colored costume and is wearing reflective tape to be more visible to drivers.

What are some safety tips for adults planning a Halloween party?

  • Keep candles and jack o’ lanterns away from doorsteps, walkways, landings and especially curtains. Make sure they are placed on sturdy tables and away from pets and small children.
  • Walking areas and stairs should be well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in a trip-and-fall.
  • Do not let impaired guests drive home. Before the party, remind guests to plan ahead and designate a sober driver if they plan on drinking.
  • Offer a selection of alcohol-free beverages and serve plenty of food.

How do I know if my child is ready to go trick-or-treating with friends?

  • You know best if your child is ready and mature enough to go trick-or-treating without a parent.
  • Know your child’s friends
  • Make sure your child as a cell phone in case he or she gets separated from the group.
  • An option is to walk around with the group, but stay way behind where you can monitor from a distance.
  • Follow basic safety rules and make sure they have a flashlight, are not wearing a costume that obstructs vision and they can be easily seen by drivers.

What are some safety tips for trick-or-treaters and parents to remember on Halloween night?

  • Make sure your child has a bright-colored costume and is wearing reflective tape to be more visible to drivers.
  • Children under the age of 12 should never trick-or-treat alone without adult supervision. Accompany your child, stick to familiar areas that are well lit and stay in a group.
  • If your older children are trick-or-treating with their friends, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they have to return home.
  • Older kids who do not need adult supervision should still travel with a group, never alone.
  • Parents should plan their kid’s route and establish a set time to be home.
  • Children should carry flashlights to be more visible to drivers.
  • Only trick-or-treat at well-lit homes and never accept rides from strangers.
  • Parents should remind kids to never go beyond the doorway and never talk to strangers.
  • Try to trick-or-treat while it’s still day light. Parents should always accompany younger children.
  • Teach your children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.
  • Instruct them to always walk on the sidewalk and cross the street at crosswalks while using traffic signals to get across the street safely.
    Instruct them to always walk on the sidewalk, cross the street at marked crosswalks and use traffic signals to get across the street safely.
  • Put electronic devices away when walking and crossing the street. Keep your head up and alert for vehicles. Never assume the right of way.
  • At the end of the evening, examine your child’s candy for any choking hazards and any sweets that may have been tampered with. Discard any “homemade treats” your child may have received from strangers or any other suspicious candies. Limit the amount of sweet treats they eat.

What are some safe driving tips to remember on Halloween night?

  • The safest thing motorists can do is not to be on the roads Halloween night or drive before or after peak trick-or-treating hours, which are between 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  • If you must drive, DO NOT drive distracted. Focus on the road and your surroundings. Avoid cell phone use, texting and driving, eating and drinking, using GPS devices and other dashboard distractions while behind the wheel.
  • Drivers need to slow down, especially in residential neighborhoods and anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic. Children are unpredictable and with the excitement of Halloween will not always be looking for cars.
  • ALWAYS yield to young pedestrians. Children may not stop, either because they do not know how to cross the street safely or because they simply do not see you.
  • Drive slowly and do not pass stopped vehicles. The driver could be dropping off children.
  • Watch for children darting into the street. Most young pedestrian deaths happen at spots other than intersections.
  • Be especially cautious entering and exiting driveways and intersections. Be aware of children on medians and curbs.
  • Turn on your headlights earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
  • Communicate with other drivers. Always use your turn signals and use extra caution when picking up and dropping off children.
  • Discourage teen drivers from being on the roads Halloween night. There are too many hazards and distractions for inexperienced drivers.

How many pedestrians are killed annually on October 31?

At least 30 pedestrians are killed every year on October 31, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records. That is almost triple the number of pedestrian fatalities that happen on the average day on American roads.

What are some safety tips for homeowners this Halloween?

  • Clean up any potential obstacles such as gardening tools or lawn decorations that can cause a trip and fall.
  • Everybody loves a lit pumpkin on the front porch. It is important to remember that if you put a candle in the pumpkin; make sure the flame does not come into contact with a child’s costume. Battery-powered lights are safest for jack-o’-lanterns.

Related Resources

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At the law firm of Michael T. Gibson, we want you to have a safe and Happy Halloween! If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Our experienced team of Orlando personal injury attorneys can help you obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. Please feel free to fill out our quick contact form on our website or call us today to set up a free consultation to discuss your case at 407-422-4529.

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