16 Halloween Safety Tips for Children and Parents
Children look forward to Halloween with unrivaled anticipation, but young kids aren’t the only ones who enjoy the 31st of October. No matter your age, there are plenty of fun ways to celebrate Halloween – but if you intend to drive, keep in mind that children will be flooding the streets, and all it takes is one mistake to cause a tragic accident.
Unfortunately, drunk driving rates tend to spike on Halloween. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly half of all fatal traffic accidents on Halloween in 2012 involved a drunk motorist.
Even more tragic is the fact that most of the victims were minors. Children are four times more likely to die on the road on Halloween than on any other night of the year, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If the worst happens and your child suffers an injury while trick-or-treating, turn to Rensch & Rensch Law. A personal-injury lawyer in Omaha will help you claim compensation for medical bills and non-economic damages.
Our legal team offers more than 45 years of combined experience. Call 1-800-471-4100 to schedule a free consultation. You can also learn more about car accident injury claims in Nebraska by visiting USAttorneys.com.
How to Avoid Accidents and Injuries on Halloween
Decorations that can catch on fire, impaired drivers, dangerous costumes – Halloween night is rife with unexpected hazards. If your child is trick-or-treating, you should be proactive about safety by keeping these tips in mind:
Children Should…
- Wear bright, reflective clothing when walking at night;
- Avoid facemasks that hinder their vision;
- Carry a flashlight inside their candy buckets to be more visible to drivers;
- Stay on sidewalks and clearly marked paths;
- Only cross the road at intersections or corners where they can see traffic from all directions;
- Look left, right and left again before crossing;
- Not listen to music or engage in other distracted behaviors;
- Walk in a group or with a responsible adult; and
- Make sure their parents know where they are at all times.
Parents Should…
- Carefully plan and discuss the route their children will take;
- Ensure their children only trick-or-treat in familiar areas;
- Instruct their children only to stop in well-lit homes;
- Make sure their kids know exactly when to return home;
- Not allow their children to eat any candy until it has been inspected for safety;
- Educate their children about pedestrian safety rules; and
- Make sure their kids are wearing bright costumes with reflective materials.
If your child sustains an injury on Halloween night, contact Rensch & Rensch Law to discuss your legal options. An Omaha personal-injury lawyer will help you pursue justice and compensation from the at-fault driver.
Our accident attorneys have litigated more than 100 jury trials, and if we do not win, then you will not pay attorneys’ fees. Call 1-800-471-4100 to schedule a free initial consultation.
