Halloween Safety: Ensuring a Fun & Safe Trick-or-Treat Experience

Halloween Safety

Halloween can be a time of fun and laughter, especially regarding neighborhood trick-or-treating. However, as much as we all enjoy the festivities, safety needs to be a priority. Walking around in the dark in costumes can open the door for everything from slip-and-fall accidents to pedestrian fatalities (which tend to spike during trick-or-treating events). Fortunately, there are things we can all do to keep everyone safer during Halloween celebrations.

For Parents: Keeping Your Trick-or-Treaters Safe

Let’s start with some common-sense safety tips for trick-or-treaters (especially children):

Supervise the Kids: Children under 12 should not be out at night without an adult. If your kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, make sure they stick to familiar, well-lit areas and always go trick-or-treating in groups.

Practice Pedestrian Safety: Remind your children to cross streets at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. They should look left, right, and left again when crossing, and keep looking as they cross. Make sure they wear or carry something reflective so drivers can see them.
Check the Candy: Inspect all candy before your kids eat it. Make sure wrappers are intact, and there are no signs of tampering.

For Trick-or-Treaters: Halloween Costume Safety Tips

Whether you’re a child or an adult, wearing a costume can present certain hazards. Reduce the risk by following these tips:

Smart Costume Selection: Choose costumes made of flame-resistant materials. Avoid oversized shoes, high heels, long dresses, and capes that can cause tripping.
Be Visible: If possible, choose a light-colored costume that drivers can easily spot. If your costume is dark, consider wearing neon-colored arm bands or carrying a brightly colored bag.
Choose Safe Accessories: If your costume includes accessories, make sure they are not sharp or long. You wouldn’t want to hurt yourself or others accidentally.

For Homeowners: Ensuring a Safe Environment

Neighborhood residents have a reasonable duty of care to help trick-or-treaters stay safe when visiting their homes. The following tips should reduce the risk of mishaps:

Clear Your Pathways: To prevent accidents, ensure your driveways, sidewalks, and paths are clear of obstacles like wet leaves, garden hoses, toys, and decorations.
Light Up Your Home: Install sufficient lighting outside your home to help prevent slips and falls. A well-lit path will make your house more inviting and safer for visitors.
Secure Your Pets: Even well-behaved pets can act out of character and bite if spooked on Halloween by all the trick-or-treaters. If you have pets, secure them away from the door to prevent them from escaping or getting overly excited with the visitors.

Most Halloween mishaps occur because either the trick-or-treater, a driver, or a homeowner was careless or negligent. If you or your child gets hurt because of someone else’s negligence, our team of professional attorneys can help you receive proper compensation for the injuries incurred. Call our offices to schedule a consultation.