As personal injury lawyers we see every day that accidents can happen in the best of conditions. Holidays bring additional hazards to the roads and sidewalks of our communities.
With Halloween just a few weeks away, here are some important safety considerations to keep in mind. They apply whether you have children who will be trick-or-treating or you’re just going to be driving on the roads.
- Avoid costumes made of flammable materials.
- Choose costumes that don’t pose a tripping hazard.
- Choose brightly coloured costumes that motorists can see. You can increase a costume’s visibility by adding reflective tape.
- Consider using face paint rather than masks that can impair vision.
- Avoid coloured contact lenses because they can cause eye injuries.
- Provide children with flashlights to take with them trick-or-treating and accompany small children.
- Check all candy for hazards before they are consumed.
Drivers should stay alert for children on the streets on Halloween, especially at dusk. Not all costumes are easy to spot. Keep in mind that many costumes impair the hearing and/or vision of the wearer.
There are also Halloween hazards around the home. Keep these tips in mind:
- If you’re expecting trick-or-treaters, ensure good lighting in front of your home and remove any tripping hazards.
- Be careful with lit candles, especially if they’re somewhere a child or pet could knock them over. Consider using electric lights rather than candles in jack-o-lanterns.
- Keep pets securely tied up or in closed rooms to avoid injuries to visitors or to the pets themselves.
