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How To Stay Safe During Halloween

Updated: Jan 17



The Haunting Risks of Halloween: How to Stay Safe This Holiday Season

With the leaves changing and decorations going up, it’s not just the kids who feel the excitement this time of year. While we should all embrace the festivity, it’s also important that we understand the unique risks of Halloween that can lead to personal injury claims. By understanding these risks, you can keep your loved ones safe and also avoid potential legal issues.


Slip and Falls

With so many people out trick-or-treating, it’s only natural that the number of slip and fall accidents increases. There are uneven sidewalks, as well as decorations, treats and fallen costume pieces littering the ground. Here is a breakdown of some of the fall risks you should be on the lookout for this October 31st:

1.    Costumes, candy, and decorations galore: One of the unique fall risks to this time of year is all of the festive clutter. Costumes have so many bits and pieces, and when it comes to kids, they may not be the best at keeping everything together. When they’re running to catch up with their friends, it’s very likely that they may lose a scarf, glove, mask, etc. Likewise, it is very likely that they are going to lose a piece of candy or two when their buckets are overflowing. And all of that is nothing compared to the decorations that get loose in the wind, scattering to sidewalks and walkways.

2.    Uneven Sidewalks: This is nothing new to Halloween, uneven sidewalks are always a fall risk to watch out for. With Halloween though, there is a huge uptick in foot traffic and many more people exposed to this risk.

3.    Poor Lighting: Trick-or-treating starts at dusk. Low lighting compounds the issues above by making it hard to spot these hazards.

Auto Accidents

Halloween can also lead to an increase in auto accidents. Here are a few reasons why:

1.    High Levels of Foot Traffic: There are so many people out trick-or-treating, which means there is a high chance for pedestrian-vehicle collisions. Kids are excited. They may not be paying attention to the road while crossing. Drivers can also be distracted, focusing on the sights of the season rather than what’s in front of them.

2.    Alcohol: While the kids are out trick-or-treating, a lot of adults are out at Halloween parties, a good number of which serve alcohol. We can only hope that people are being responsible and taking Ubers, Lyfts, etc., but the harsh reality is, a lot are not. This endangers other drivers as well as pedestrians.

3.    Poor Lighting (again): As mentioned, the high foot traffic is going to come at night when it’s hard to see out. Not only that, but some costumes might also involve dark clothing or face coverings. Imagine a kid dressed as Batman walking around at night, they’re going to be very hard to see as a driver.

Other Personal Injury Claims

More than just slip and falls and auto accidents, Halloween can cause several other personal injury claims. To name a few:

1.    Dog Bites: As fun and exciting as trick-or-treating can be, you are visiting a stranger’s home. They may have pets that are agitated by the doorbell, screams, laughs, etc., and that can, unfortunately, lead to an increased risk of dog bites.

2.    Fire Hazards: Jack-o’-lanterns are a staple to Halloween decorations, but it is important to remember that they often contain an open flame. If a fire spreads due to negligence, it could lead to an injury, or even property damage.

Stay Safe This Halloween

Listing out the risks can make the holiday seem incredibly dangerous, but that’s not our intent with this post. We just want everyone to remain safe and, to do so, you need to know what to look out for. Below are a few tips for staying safe this Halloween:

As a Home or Property Owner

1.    Maintain Your Walkways: Make sure that your walkways and driveways are free from decorations. Also make sure that they are well-lit for guests coming to trick-or-treat.

2.    Maintain Your Property: In the same vein, make sure that your sidewalks and driveways are in good condition. Fill in any cracks or holes that could be a tripping hazard.

As a Parent or Trick-or-Treater

1.    Choose Your Costume Carefully: Choose a costume that is easily visible at night. You could add reflective tape or glow sticks to help with this as well.

2.    Never Go Alone: Stick with others while trick-or-treating, whether it be friends or parents. In case you do get injured, you want to make sure that someone is there to help you.

3.    Road Safety Education: Teach children to look both ways before crossing the street and to always use sidewalks. You don’t need to scare them with the dangers but remind them that basic road safety will help keep everyone safe.

As a Driver

1.    Drive Slow: It’s pretty self-explanatory but drive slow through neighborhoods where trick-or-treating’s taking place. Also, be cautious at intersections and crosswalks.

2.    Don’t Drive Distracted: In Michigan, we have the hands-free law. You’re not allowed to touch your device while driving, which is important always, but especially when there are children running around. Whatever’s on your phone, it can wait.

3.    Don’t Drive Drunk: If you plan to drink, please have a designated driver, call a rideshare service, or walk. There is no reason why you should get behind the wheel inebriated.

Enjoy the Holiday, but Please, Be Responsible

Halloween is an incredible time of the year. You get the chance to celebrate with friends, be creative, and just have fun. Knowing the risks of the holiday though, we hope that you can do so responsibly.

If you or someone you know does experience an injury this Halloween, whether it be from a slip and fall, auto accident, or some other form of negligence, know that you may have legal options. Contact us at (855) 529-6424. Our skilled legal team can help you navigate your claim.

Happy Halloween everyone and just remember to be careful and considerate!

 

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