Personal Injury Law

Halloween: Safety First for Little Spooks

In recent years, Halloween has jumped to the top of many lists as one of the most dangerous nights for children to be out.  Several common sense tips and guidelines help create a safer environment for Trick-or-Treaters. 

• Treats: Don't munch candy before returning home.  All treats should be carefully examined by an adult before children eat them.
• Costumes: Age-appropriate designs for costumes should focus on visibility, easy movement, flame resistance.  Reflective tape is a good addition to any costume.
• Flashlights: Carrying flashlights helps to see and be seen.
• Pedestrian Safety: Young children should be accompanied by an older responsible person, walk instead of run from house to house, use sidewalks when present, and avoid running between parked cars.
• Choose Safe Homes: Visit only homes that have welcoming outside lights, but don't go inside.
• Trick or Treat Hours: Check and follow local rules for allowable times.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a clever list of tips for Halloween Safety, which we have reproduced in its entirety below:

•    S      Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
•    A      Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
•    F      Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
•    E     Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the  amount of treats you eat.

•    H     Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
•    A     Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.
•    L     Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
•    L     Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
•   O     Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
•   W    Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
•   E      Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well.
•   E     Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside.
•   N   Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that during 1975-1996, the number of deaths among young pedestrians was four times higher on Halloween evening when compared with the same time period during all other evenings of the year.  Keep safe this Halloween so you don't become a statistic. 

Full post as published by DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog on October 29, 2009 (boomark / email).