Each year, on one very special and spooky night, a flood of costumed children and adults emerge from their homes in search of delicious candy and delightful adventures. Despite its unnerving historical origins, Halloween, in its present incarnation, belongs to candy-seeking children. Before August even comes to a close, kids are already dreaming up costume ideas and preparing for the moment they can knock on a neighbor’s doors and warn, “Trick or treat!”
However, Halloween isn’t all fun and games. Various awareness groups and safety advocates release startling statistics and warnings each year about the increasing number of Halloween injuries and fatalities. Unfortunately, this danger has nothing to do with ghosts, monsters, or sprites. As usual, its negligent and cruel adults who pose the greatest threat to children.
At the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley, our Northern California personal injury attorney has compiled a list of 4 safety tips that can protect your children from unfortunate accidents and malicious actions this Halloween night.
The Safety Tips
Tip#1: Keep Your Home Safe
- Be careful of any holiday decorations that can harm your children
- Don’t let your child handle a pumpkin carving knife
- Replace the pumpkin candle with a flashlight or glowstick to prevent fires
Tips #2: Prepare a Safe Costume
- If you can, tempt your child into wearing a costume that’s easy to see in the dark
- Attach bright stickers and reflective tape to the costume to prevent car accidents
- Check that all toy props are child-safe
Tip #3: Be Vigilant When Trick-or-Treating
- Prepare a safe trick-or-treating route in advance
- Try to plan a group outing with other neighborhood families
- Only let your child walk up to houses with lit porch lights
- Stay on well-lit sidewalks
- Cross the street at designated corners
- Keep your child from jaywalking or darting into the street
- Avoid any neighborhood pets that could pose a danger to your child
- Never accept rides from strangers
Tip #4: Review the Haul
- Thoroughly evaluate each piece of candy before your child eats it
- Throw away any spoiled or questionable candy
- Look for signs that malicious people have tampered with the chocolate
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Dangerous items to look for include:
- Razor blades
- Needles
- Drugs
- Glass
- Thumbtacks
- Staples
Injured on Halloween? Seek Justice
We hope that you and your children have an incredibly safe and exciting Halloween night. However, if an accident should occur and you require legal assistance, contact the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley immediately. We can review your case, examine the evidence, and help you file an effective claim.
Call our Northern California personal injury attorney at (530) 413-0245 to schedule a consultation.