Trick or Treating Safety Tips
As we get closer to Halloween, the personal injury lawyers at Contrada & Associates are sharing safety tips for children, parents and drivers.
On Halloween, the streets fill with children and their parents. With the influx of pedestrians on the sidewalks and in the streets, it is imperative for drivers to be cautious and for parents to counsel their children in the importance of safety.
Safety Tips for Halloween Night
Costume Tip
One of the tricky things about Halloween is that the event happens toward dusk and many costumes are dark cloth, making it difficult for drivers to easily spot some children. The tip that we have for parents is to add reflective tape to your child’s costume and their trick-or-treating bag, allowing drivers to spot your child much easier as they cross the streets throughout the neighborhood.
Walking Safely
Another tip is to carry a flashlight while trick-or-treating. Both you and your child should have a flashlight, making it easier to see while walking and for others to seek you.
Also, make sure that you always use crosswalks when crossing the street, and sidewalks where available to avoid a pedestrian-car accident. If there isn’t a sidewalk, walk on the very edge of the road facing traffic. Our personal injury lawyers recommend that if there aren’t sidewalks in your neighborhood; consider visiting another neighborhood that has sidewalks throughout.
Another great tip is to plan your trick-or-treating route ahead of time. Share the route with you child ahead of time and make sure your child is familiar with the area, reducing the likelihood of getting lost.
Driving Safely
The safest thing to do is to not drive on Halloween. Drive before or after the trick-or-treating is completed. Check your newspapers to find out your local trick-or-treat schedule.
If you are driving on Halloween night, be extra cautious. Trick-or-treating often occurs in the evening and may go into dusk, which is one of the most difficult times to spot pedestrians as the lighting changes and drivers must adjust.
If you’re driving on Halloween night, go slowly, especially through neighborhoods. Leave extra time at cross walks and keep a constant eye out for children who may be jetting off ahead of their parents.
Preventing Accidents
By following the above tips, you will reduce the chances that you or your child is involved in a personal injury accident on Halloween night. If you are behind the wheel, drive defensively and with extreme caution.
If you have any questions regarding safety on the road during Halloween and what to do if an accident occurs, call the personal injury lawyers at Contrada & Associates at 419.841.4400.