How to Keep Trick-Or-Treaters Safe This Halloween
As exciting as Halloween can be for many people of all ages, it is also a day when serious safety risks arise. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2019 study found that pedestrian deaths increased by 43% on Halloween. The risk increased 10-fold among children aged 4 to 8 years old. The study also noted that residential neighborhood fatality risk increased after 6 p.m.
Children must understand road safety tips to stay safe while trick-or-treating in your community. If you plan to welcome trick-or-treaters to your home, you can take steps to prevent premises injuries and ensure all trick-or-treaters have fun.
Halloween Safety Tips for Children
You can take several safety precautions to ensure your children have an exciting, safe Halloween. Follow these safety tips to prevent pedestrian injuries while your kids trick-or-treat on the streets of your neighborhood.
- Make Sure the Costumes and Masks Fit Properly
Have your children try on their costumes to ensure they can walk easily without tripping or slipping. Don’t allow your children to wear shoes with large soles or heels that could cause them to fall on stairs or the road.
Children should not wear oversized masks which may obscure objects around them, such as cars. Use non-toxic Halloween makeup instead, and always test makeup in a small area first to avoid irritating your child’s skin.
- Add Fluorescent Tape to Their Costumes
Consider choosing bright-colored costumes when you shop with your child for Halloween. If their outfit is not bright enough, place reflective tape on the front and the back of their costume so drivers can see them at dusk and nighttime.
- Make Sure They Have a Flashlight
Have your children carry flashlights with them so they can see where they’re walking after sunset. Flashlights make children more visible to drivers and other trick-or-treating pedestrians and can help avoid accidents.
- Cross Only on Sidewalks and Crosswalks
Make sure your child understands how to cross the street safely. Safe crossing includes walking on sidewalks and using crosswalks at intersections with traffic lights. Teach your children to look both ways and wait until cars have stopped before crossing the crosswalk. Encourage them to pay attention to their surroundings while walking if they have a cell phone.
How to Keep Your Home Safe for Trick-or-Treaters
Ensure a safe Halloween on your property when trick-or-treaters come to your door to ask for candy. Maintaining a safe environment can help you avoid liability issues if someone injures themselves on your property.
Keep your home well-maintained by removing obstacles, adding bright lighting, and fixing your porch and yard.
- Inspect Your Property for Safe Hazards
If you find obstacles on your property and sidewalk, such as bikes, toys, garden hoses, or potted plants, put them away in storage. Hire a contractor or handyman to fix broken porch railings and stairs before Halloween, as they can cause severe injuries if not maintained properly. Install friction tape on your porch steps in case of rainy weather and slippery conditions.
- Place Dogs in a Safe Area
Dogs may become stressed and confused if they hear the constant flow of visitors ringing or knocking on your door. Their protective instinct might cause them to bark and jump on your guests, leading to potential injuries. If you know your dog gets nervous and overprotective, place them in another part of the house, away from the front door.
- Light Up Your Outside Property
If the bulbs in your outdoor lights burn out, replace them with high-watt or energy-efficient bulbs. It may be necessary to install additional lighting in the front yard to prevent trick-or-treaters from slipping and tripping. Luminaries, a jack-o-lantern, and motion-activated illumination alongside the path to your front door can help your visitors find their way.
Reach Out to a Compassionate Accident Attorney
You can make Halloween as enjoyable as possible by taking preventive measures to keep everyone safe. However, if your child sustained injuries while trick-or-treating at another home, a child injury lawyer from Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers can help you consider your next legal steps.
If someone suffers an injury on your property, our Wisconsin premises liability lawyers can review the facts and help you prove you took all reasonable steps to prevent harm.
Contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation to learn your legal options and explore your potential compensation.