The Most Common Halloween Accidents and How to Avoid Them

How to Stay Safe During Halloween

As Halloween approaches, the Law Firm of Michael T. Gibson would like to remind you to stay safe while trick-or-treating this year. Our Orlando personal injury lawyers have compiled the most common types of accidents and injuries that can occur on Halloween and how to avoid them.

Always yield to cars. Children are four times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other night of the year. Make sure your children understand that just because they can see a car does not mean the driver of the car can see them. Research found 70% of all child pedestrian fatalities happened outside of crosswalks and intersections. Never cross the street between parked cars. Instead, walk to the nearest street corner, look both ways and listen for oncoming cars before crossing.

Be visible. Sixty percent of all pedestrian deaths happen when it is dark outside. Since reflective tape comes in so many colors, adding some to your child’s costume is the easiest way to make them more visible to motorists. If your children are age appropriate, glow sticks are a fun way to keep them visible as well- and kids love them!

Protect your eyes. Many costumes come with sharp objects that are used as props, like wands and swords. Even though these are oftentimes made of plastic, they can still have sharp edges. Using these like toys can result in serious eye injuries.

Protect yourself from burns. Parents should make sure to buy costumes that are non-flammable. Many costumes come with over-sized sleeves, long capes, and wigs. These costumes pose a serious danger to children when they become exposed to open flames like a candle in a Jack-o-Lantern. Along with choosing the right costume, you may want to consider replacing candles with safer sources of light.

Keep off homeowners’ lawns. Teach your children to stay on sidewalks and respect homeowners’ yards. Not all homeowners foresee accidents in their own yards, particularly if they have decorations that can be harmful if tripped over.

Look for porch lights. Warn children that all homes are not welcoming to trick-or-treaters. As a rule of thumb, look for a well-lit home with a porch light on. This is a universal sign that trick-or-treaters are welcome.

Have a plan and stick to it. Practice making a route and planning it with your kids while they are still young and you can accompany them. Outline which neighborhoods you will trick-or-treat in and which ones to avoid. If you want to monitor them more closely, download an app to check their whereabouts any time using the smart phone you send with them.

Remember to carry emergency contact information. It is a good idea to put emergency contact information on your child in case of emergency. Stick an emergency card in their pocket or treat bag.

Related Resources

• The SafeWise Report on Halloween Accidents
• 3 Most Common Ways to Get Injured on Halloween From FindLaw

Be Safe And Have A Great Halloween

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 team of experienced 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.