Halloween and spooky should go hand-in-hand, but not when it comes to safety. According to Safe Kids Worldwide (SKW), children are over two times as likely to be struck and killed by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year. Even things like costumes and decorations can create potential hazards – so before you and your loved ones morph into character and hit the road to trick-or-treat, keep a few key safety tips in mind.

Walking Tips

Some useful tips on pedestrian safety from SKW include:

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and designated crosswalks
• Before crossing the street, look left, right, and then left again. Continue to look as you cross
• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before they cross in front of them
• Put all electronic devices down!
• Walk, do not run, across the street
• Avoid looking down while crossing
• Always walk on sidewalks or pathways. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as you can
• Keep an eye out for cars that are turning or backing up
• Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars
• Accompany children 12-years-old and below for trick-or-treating. If kids are mature enough to be out without adult supervision, make sure they stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups

Tips for Drivers

It is very important that drivers prioritize safety behind the wheel around Halloween. The holiday falls on a Thursday this year, so expect to see kids celebrating on the days before and after the 31^st as well. The SKW recommends that drivers observe the following recommendations:

• Slow down and be extra alert and cautious in residential neighborhoods where there may be even more children out trick-or-treating. Remember, kids are excited and more prone to moving unpredictably
• Take extra time to watch for kids at intersections, on medians, and on curbs
• Enter and exit driveways and alleyways slowly and carefully
• Get rid of any distractions, like your phone, in your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings
• Turn your headlights on earlier in the day so you can better spot children from greater distances
• Some of the most popular trick-or-treating times are between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., so be extra cautious during those hours!

Costumes for a Safe Halloween

Dressing up like your favorite animal, character, or monster for Halloween is one of the most fun and exciting parts of the holiday, but even costumes come with some of their own unique risks and hazards. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple steps you can take to make sure you look – and feel – great:

• Decorate bags and costumes with reflective tape and stickers. If possible, choose light colors for your costume so that drivers can see you more easily
• Choose face paint and makeup (use nontoxic products) whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help see them and be seen by drivers
• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to help prevent trips and falls
• Make sure that costumes, wigs, and accessories are fire-resistant
• Remove all makeup before bed to prevent skin and/or eye irritation

Other fun parts of Halloween, like pumpkin carving and decorating your home, can result in unintentional injury. To avoid these kinds of injuries, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends leaving the pumpkin carving to the grown-ups. If children want to participate, let them use a marker or paint to draw a design. When it comes to decorations, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and, if possible, avoid the use of open-flame candles. If you must use candles, be sure to place them away from curtains, decorations, and any other items that could catch fire. Remember: never leave a burning candle unattended!

Our entire team at Galfand Berger wishes you and your family a very fun and ghoulish Halloween!

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If you have questions about filing a claim for injuries you sustained, contact the Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Galfand Berger LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.