Halloween Safety Tips
Ghosts, goblins, and witches will soon be knocking on your door as Halloween 2019 commences on October 31st. Children and adults alike get very excited for this holiday focused on costumes, candy, and fun. What most do not expect are the serious injuries that can occur from pedestrian accidents, falls, and dog bites related to Halloween celebrations.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported close to 7,000 pedestrian deaths across the country in 2017. When bicyclists, walkers, joggers, and other pedestrians hit the streets to trick-or-treat on Halloween, serious and fatal injuries can turn a fun holiday into a tragic event. Young children and adults need to take extreme caution when trick-or-treating or when attending Halloween events to avoid catastrophic injuries and death.
Pedestrian Safety Tips for a Fun Halloween
Many people do not realize that pedestrians are obligated to follow the same rules of the road as automobile drivers. Designated bike lanes and crosswalks with traffic signals are in place to prevent collisions between cars and pedestrians, but when the laws are broken, the consequences can be devastating.
On Halloween, there are throngs of trick-or-treaters out on the sidewalks, residential streets, and busy intersections eagerly running from house to house in search of the best candy. Paying close attention to safety can prevent accidents that leave pedestrians severely injured.
- Always use crosswalks with traffic signals in busy intersections.
- Teach children to look left, right, and then left again before stepping off a curb to cross the street.
- Put reflective tape on costumes and treat bags so that they are more visible at night.
- Hem costumes to a level above the top of the shoe to prevent slips, trips, and falls.
- Make sure masks do not cut off vision, including peripheral vision.
- Avoid riding a bike in a costume that has loose ends or long pieces.
- Never ride a bike without a helmet.
- When walking along a road without a sidewalk, always walk facing oncoming traffic.
- Do not engage in distracted driving or distracted walking. Put the phone away and pay close attention to the road in front of you.
- Carry a flashlight to avoid tripping on uneven surfaces and to allow drivers to see you from a distance.
- Do not walk home from a party if you have been drinking alcohol. Many pedestrians are struck by cars when they are under the influence because they lose their balance or misjudge their distance in the road.
- If you are hosting a Halloween celebration, be sure to serve snacks and food if you are also serving alcohol to guests.
- Clear your porch, steps, and walkways of debris and wet leaves to avoid fall hazards to trick or treaters.
- Replace burnt out exterior lights and fix any loose stairs or handrails to protect those visiting your home.
With careful attention to pedestrian safety, Halloween can be a fun and enjoyable holiday for children and adults.
New Brunswick Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr Advocate for Pedestrian Safety
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, call the New Brunswick pedestrian accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr at 877-249-4600 or 732-537-8570 or contact us online to schedule a consultation today. Our Highland Park, New Jersey offices serve clients in New Brunswick, Somerset, Piscataway, Edison, South River, Sayreville, Metuchen, East Brunswick, South Plainfield, Fords, Middlesex, Old Bridge, Iselin, Bound Brook, Perth Amboy, and Colonia.
