In addition to an otherworldly supply of ghosts and goblins, Halloween is also one of the most frightening times for parents over the safety of their trick-or-treaters. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says Halloween is one of the top three days of the year for pedestrian fatalities and injuries.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says children are four times more likely to be hit by a vehicle on All Hallows’ Eve than on any other day during the year. Researchers say there’s a 43% greater risk of pedestrian deaths, and most occur around 6 p.m. when kids are out, and drivers are heading home from work.
Tips for motorists
If you plan to be on the road on Halloween, here are some safety tips to follow:
- Slow down in residential areas driving below posted speed limits to give yourself time to stop or react
- Keep an eye out for children in dark costumes walking on curbs, medians and roadways
- Be aware of children crossing the street who pay no attention to traffic and especially those who cross in the middle of streets and not at crosswalks
- Be careful when entering driveways and alleys
- Turn your headlights on, even when it’s still daylight, to make yourself more visible
- Widen your field of vision to include yards and front porches when scanning for children
Tips for parents and trick-or-treaters
Parents can help their children stay safe by taking the following steps:
- Always have an adult or responsible older child supervise kids under 12
- Carefully plan and follow the route your kids will take and establish a time for them to be home
- Dress kids in brightly colored costumes with reflective material
- Avoid dark materials for costumes and make sure they fit properly
- Avoid costumes that obstruct a child’s vision, such as facemasks, use face paint instead
- Trick-or-treat in groups, especially if an adult is not present
Keep this spooky holiday from turning deadly
Halloween is one of the nights each year that kids most look forward to, and it should remain one known for scary costumes, fun parties and candy instead of death or devastating injuries that could have been avoided. If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, an experienced personal injury attorney here in New York can help you receive the compensation you deserve.
