A a Florida child safety lawyer dedicated to the prevention of childhood injuries I recommend that parents consider the following 5 Halloween Safety Tips and discuss them with your kids before allowing them to go trick or treating.

1. Treats: Warn your kids that they are not permitted to eat any candy until a parent has examined the wrappers to make sure that they have not been tampered with.

2. Costumes: Make sure that your children’s costumes are flame retardant and visible at night. Strategically placed reflective tape on costumes and bags will make the difference in visibility.

3. Masks: Make sure that your child can see and breath without restriction.

4. Choosing safe houses. If you are unfamiliar with your neighborhood or unsure of its safety, take your child to a shopping mall or community center. Under no circumstances should they be permitted to enter a stranger’s home for any reason.

5. Make sure that knives, swords, and weapons are soft and unable to cause an injury if your child trips or decides to use it to fence with another Zorro.

I do not think that children should be permitted to trick or treat without adult supervision. My daughter is now 12 years old and I am sure she would rather that I stay home and pass out candy to the “kids” that come to our house. Unfortunately, Miami is just not a safe place for an unsupervised 12 year old girl.

If you are expecting trick or treaters coming to your home, our Key West trip and fall law firm suggests that you clear your lawn and driveway of any tripping hazards. In addition, we recommend that you provide ample lighting so that first time visitors do not trip or fall on your property.

Florida Statute 768.075 states that property owners have an obligation to maintain their property in such a manner so that so that visitors are not injured. This applies to “trespasser” who reasonably believe they have an invitation to be on the property. Therefore, as a Florida premise liability lawyer, I recommend that you make your home as safe as possible and leave the haunted houses to the professionals. Setting traps that will cause sudden or unexpected things to jump out to scare visitors might create a hidden danger under Florida law.

As a Miami dangerous product lawyer, I suggest that you do not use an open flame in any of your Halloween displays, that might ignite a costume or cause other injury. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has more information about Halloween Safety.

If you simply do not want Halloween visitors, I suggest that you post “no trespassing signs” and remove any Halloween props from your home that would provide someone with the belief that they have been invited on to your property.