Halloween is almost here! Millions of parents, kids, and young people go out trick or treating on October 31. Halloween can be an exciting time for all ages, but it can also be dangerous. Twice as many children are involved in fatal pedestrian accidents on Halloween than any other night of the year, but only one-third of parents discuss safety tips with their kids before they go out trick or treating.
There are many things that you can do to make sure you and your family are safe this Halloween:
1. Trick or Treaters:
- Wear light coloured costumes with reflective tape strips make sure your child can be seen by drivers
- Always travel in groups so you are more easily seen
- Always walk on sidewalks or paths not down the middle of streets
- Educate kids not to cross streets from between parked cars or from behind something that will prevent drivers from seeing them
- Instead of crossing the street on multiple occasions, go up one side of the street and down the other
- Cross streets at intersections or marked crosswalks
- Make sure younger children are always in the company of an adult
2. Drivers:
- Drive slowly, especially in residential areas where there are more children
- Assume that children will jump out between parked cars and from behind objects
- If possible, avoid areas where trick or treaters are around
- Exercise extreme caution when pulling into or out of parking spots, especially when reversing or driving across sidewalks
- If you are coming home from a party make sure you are completely sober, you need your best reaction time!
3. Homeowners:
- Put on your outdoor lights and replace any burnt out bulbs
- Brush off steps and walkways and remove all items which may cause a trip or slip and fall, as you could be liable if someone is injured on your property
4. Partygoers:
- Have a designated driver or use a taxi, uber, or public transport
- Remember that ubers and taxis will be very busy and you will likely have to wait a long time for them to arrive
- On your smart phone, share your location with a ‘buddy’ so that they know where you are
McGuiness Law wishes you a happy and safe Halloween! If you need us, call for a free consultation.