Trick or Treat Safely on Halloween

Halloween is a holiday enjoyed by both children and parents alike. However, Halloween can pose major safety risks for children if proper precautions are not followed. Halloween can easily become a nightmare when you combine darkness, unsupervised children and costumes that may make visibility difficult. By following a few Halloween safety tips from our Pasco County Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton, you can reduce the odds of a child injury affecting your family.

Costume Tips:

• Make sure costumes are bright and reflective. Costumes should also be short enough to prevent tripping or contact with flame.
• Try adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
• Masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives.
• Make sure all costumes and accessories are flame resistant.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child can easily get hurt by these accessories.
• Children should be equipped with flashlights with fresh batteries for trolling around dark streets.
• Give your child a cell phone and teach him or her how to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost.

Carving Pumpkins:

• Small children should not carve pumpkins. A safer alternative is to have children draw a face with markers and then parents can do the cutting.
• Use a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you are using a candle to light your pumpkin, votive candles are best.
• Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and do not leave them unattended.

Home Safety:

• You want to keep your home safe for visiting trick-or-treaters,so it is best to remove anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations from the front yard and porch area.
• Replace any burned-out bulbs outside.
• Sweep wet leaves from sidewalks and steps.
• Keep any pets restrained so they do not jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

Trick-Or-Treating:

• A parent or other responsible adult should always accompany young children when trick-or-treating.
• If your older children are going alone, plan their route and agree on a specific time when they should return home.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for candy.
• Carry a cell phone for quick communication or emergency calls.
• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
• Do not cut across yards or use alleys.
• Never assume as a pedestrian that you have the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters, so be extra cautious!
• You should notify police immediately about any suspicious or unlawful activity.

Following the above safety tips can reduce the risk of an accidental injury this Halloween. If your child has been injured by the negligence of another, please call a Pasco County Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton at 727-847-2299 or contact us online. We would be happy to provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation.