With Halloween right around the corner, it means lots of miniature superheroes and Disney characters will be wandering the neighborhoods in search of candy. Halloween is also a time of increased danger for pedestrians because of the increased foot traffic on the sidewalks and roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, four times more children are injured in car accidents on Halloween than other days. Moreover, there is a 23% increase in drunk driving incidents on Halloween night. Below are some safety tips for those adults accompanying kids through the neighborhoods this season, as well as a reminder for drivers to pay extra attention on the roadways.
For Trick or Treaters:
- Never go alone.
- Children should stay with a group and be accompanied by adults.
- Attach reflective tape to costumes and bags to stay visible to motorists.
- Carry a flashlight to illuminate dark walkways.
- Try to stay on sidewalks; if there are no sidewalks always walk facing traffic.
- Look both ways before crossing the street.
- Eat only recognizable candy, avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
- Always inspect each and every piece of candy.
For Drivers:
- Headlights on. Even if it is not dark, on Halloween, turn headlights on to better see the road and people walking.
- Slow down. Children often have a mind of their own and may wander off the sidewalks and into roadways.
- Turn music down and Roll windows down. This will allow children to be heard.
- Make complete stops at stop signs.
Unfortunately, Halloween night accidents can result in significant physical injuries that require extensive and expensive medical treatment. If you or your loved one has been injured due to the negligence, carelessness or recklessness of another, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. At LaMarche Safranko Law, we represent those injured as a result of someone else’s negligence.
Be safe this Halloween!