Halloween is almost here! As your family prepares for a night of Trick-or-Treating, the Houston accident attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers hope you’ll keep these safety tips in mind.
Trick-or-Treating Safely
For children (and adults!) heading out into the neighborhood on a candy hunt, keep these tips in mind:
- Avoid going out alone. Stick with group outings, led by an adult.
- When going from house to house, remind kids to walk, not run.
- Wear reflective tape on costumes and bags to increase visibility to drivers.
- Carry a flashlight to illuminate your path after dark.
- Obey traffic laws. Cross the street at designated crosswalks. Walk on sidewalks, not in the street, as much as possible; if no sidewalks are available, stay to the far edge of the road and walk facing traffic. Remind children not to run into the street or run between parked cars.
- Children should only wear costume accessories that are made of soft, flexible material.
The most common child injuries on Halloween are from pedestrian accidents. No matter how young or old. trick-or-treaters should be mindful of traffic safety. For more information, check out more pedestrian safety tips from our accident lawyers.
Getting Ready for Trick-or-Treaters
If you are expecting trick-or-treaters at your home, here’s how you can get ready:
- Make sure your walkways are cleared of debris and obstacles to ensure a safe path to your door.
- Walking areas should be well-lit.
- Jack o’lanterns and other luminaries should be placed in sturdy places away from doorsteps and walkways, where they can’t be reached by kids or pets.
And don’t forget to stock up on good treats for your guests!
Driving Safety on Halloween
Before getting behind the wheel on Halloween, keep these tips in mind:
- Drive slow, particularly through neighborhoods, to protect yourself and trick-or-treaters from harm.
- Do not text, talk on a cell phone or engage in any other distracting behaviors while driving.
- Stay vigilant! Watch for children and other pedestrians along roads and in parking lots, particularly around parked cars.
We hope you and your family have a fun and safe Halloween. However, if an accident should occur, the attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris are here to help. If you or a loved one is hurt in a car accident, call today to schedule a free consultation.