HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS FROM ARONFELD TRIAL LAWYERS

Halloween is one of the most anticipated nights of the year for children of all ages, but the grim statistics surrounding the holiday are something parents and drivers should take seriously. On average, twice as many child pedestrians are killed while walking on Halloween compared to any other day of the year.

We encourage parents to talk to their children about Halloween safety, as simple precautions and planning can make it a fun night for all. For those hitting the sidewalks, we advise sticking to well-lit streets where other families will be trick-or-treating. Older kids should always travel in groups and young children should always be accompanied by an adult.

At Aronfeld Trial Lawyers, we hope you and your loved ones have a safe and Happy Halloween. Here are some important safety tips for parents, children, motorists, and property owners to remember this Halloween.

Safety tips for motorists on Halloween:

The safest thing you can do is avoid driving on Halloween night. The potential for car accidents involving young children increases four times on Halloween night, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
If you must drive, do not drive distracted. Distracted driving involves more than just using your cell phone behind the wheel. It is anything that takes your focus off the road for a second. Focus on safe driving and your surroundings, especially in residential neighborhoods where there is trick-or-treating.
Take extra time to look for kids at intersections waiting to cross the street, on medians and on curbs.
Expect them to dart out in front of traffic. Halloween is an exciting night for kids and sometimes they can forget the most basic safety rules, particularly around vehicles.
If you are the parent of a teen driver, establish a no driving policy on Halloween night. Young drivers aged 15-25 accounted for nearly one- third of all fatal accidents involving child pedestrians on Halloween.

Safety tips for parents and children on Halloween:

Make sure your child is wearing a brightly colored costume and reflective tape to be more visible to cars. Glow sticks and flashlights are also a good idea.
Costumes should fit properly and be made of non-flammable material and should not interfere with walking.
Choose child-friendly face paint and make-up as opposed to masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
Children should leave behind props like wands and swords when trick-or- treating. These are great for photos but leave them at home.
Encourage your child to get an early start trick-or-treating while it is still daylight. Always accompany your child on their route.
Older kids who may not need adult supervision should trick-or-treat in a small group, never alone. Parents should help in establishing their route and always set a curfew.
For younger children, secure emergency contact information on their Halloween costumes. Include your name, home phone number, address, and cell phone number.
Teach your children to never assume the right of way when it comes to cars, and to make direct eye contact with the driver before crossing the street.
Instruct your children to only walk on the sidewalk, cross the street at marked crosswalks, and use traffic signals to get across the street safely.
Once the night is over, parents should carefully inspect all candy in their children’s bags to make sure it is safe.

Safety tips for property owners on Halloween:

If you plan on welcoming trick-or-treaters, make sure your porch light is turned on.
Have your property clean of debris, gardening tools and decorations that could be in the path of children and cause a trip and fall.
Nothing screams Halloween like a jack-o-lantern displayed on the front porch but be mindful of the danger if a child gets too close to the flame. Battery-powered lights are safest for jack-o’-lanterns. If you have been injured due to the negligence of another this Halloween, contact the Law Firm of Aronfeld Trial Lawyers to determine if you have a personal injury claim.

The attorneys at Aronfeld Trial Lawyers understand Florida’s complex personal injury laws. Since 1991 we have fought hard to protect the legal rights of the injured and their families- and hold auto insurers like State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, GEICO and others accountable for the pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages suffered by our clients. Contact us today and speak with an experienced Miami auto accident attorney toll free 1-888-742-0372, local 305-770-6553, or by email.

Call us today, we are ready to help.

Additional Safety Resources: Halloween and the Holidays – MiamiDade.gov