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8 Tips for Avoiding the Most Common Halloween Accidents

avoiding halloween accidents

Whether you are a parent with trick-or-treating children or an adult ready to enjoy the festivities of Halloween, it is important to remember the propensity for injury. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of pedestrian deaths among children peaks on Halloween – another reason to exercise caution while going out for the night. By being savvy (and prepared), you can still enjoy the season and all of the fun that comes with dressing up and eating as much candy as you want.

8 Things to Keep in Mind

See the most common accidents for Halloween and follow these tips so that you can avoid them.

  1. Be on the lookout for cars. Pedestrian-auto accidents are at their peak on Halloween. With everyone on the streets, it seems that pedestrians are not looking for cars, and cars cannot always see pedestrians. Watch for vehicles while you are out on the road and look both ways before crossing. If you are wearing a dark-colored costume, add a glow stick (or two) to increase your visibility for drivers. Also, use crosswalks instead of illegal crossings, and make eye contact with the driver before proceeding.
  1. Make yourself visible. Children should wear something reflective on their costume. If the costume doesn’t have reflective strips, add one or two to them to increase their visibility. Also, consider using light-up treat bags, flashlights, and reflectors.
  1. Pick costumes that are practical. Costumes can easily create a tripping hazard. If you are dressing a child, make sure that he or she can comfortably (and safely) walk around in the costume. For adults, avoid anything too constricting or that could obscure your vision.
  1. Take off masks while driving. As an adult, you may have to transport yourself or your child somewhere for the holiday. Remove your mask while doing so. There is no reason to wear a mask behind the wheel and doing so could block your field of vision, making it more likely that you will be involved in an accident. If you are involved in a collision while wearing a mask, you can be 100% certain that this will be used against you, even if you think it is obvious that the accident was the other driver’s fault.
  1. Turn on lights and only visit homes with lights on. At your home, turn on the lights and illuminate the sidewalk for trick-or-treaters. Doing so ensures that no one trips and falls (and becomes injured) on your property. You can still decorate with strobe lights and other fun colored bulbs, but make sure the path is clear and people can see where they are going.
  1. Watch the candy that is eaten. Children should not eat any of their candy until it has come home and been inspected by you or another adult. Discard homemade treats or any candy that looks as though it has been opened.
  1. Use caution while carving. When carving pumpkins, use caution. Children should carve using age-appropriate tools, and adults should assist with knives or other sharp objects.
  1. Do not drink and drive. Unfortunately, drinking and driving is common on Halloween. While you cannot control those who you share the road with, you can prevent yourself from causing an accident due to alcohol consumption.

Injured on Halloween? Contact an Attorney

If you have been injured in an accident on Halloween – whether from an auto accident, drunk driver, or slip and fall – contact an attorney right away. Jeffrey H. Penneys, Esq. is here to help you with your injury case. Schedule a consultation by contacting him on his cell phone at 215-771-0430 or call him at the office 215-987-3550 or toll-free at 1-800-InjuryLaw. You can also request a consultation appointment online.

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