With Halloween right around the corner, it is likely that your children already have their Halloween costumes picked out and they are ready to hit the streets to go trick-or-treating. While Halloween is one holiday many children truly enjoy because of the thrill, excitement, and of course, candy, both parents and kids need to remember that many types of accidents can and do occur on this particular day. Did you know that “children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year [Source: National Safety Council]?
With that in mind, it is important that all remain vigilant and attentive this Halloween even while having fun. Now, to help ensure you and your family have a fun and accident-free Halloween, below we share a few tips for you and your family so that this Halloween is one you won’t want to forget.
Tips for Parents and Children Who Plan to Go Out Walking on Halloween
- Always accompany young children when making your neighborhood rounds.
- If you have older children going out on their own, be sure you plan and review an acceptable route with them.
- Agree on a specific time for your children to be home if they are old enough to go out with friends.
- Only travel in familiar, well-lit areas.
- Children and adults should keep electronic devices out of their hands and should be focusing on the road and/or sidewalk ahead of them.
- Always enter and exit driveways and alleys with caution.
Some other important safety tips you need to keep in mind include:
- Tell your children that they should never eat any treats they receive until they have arrived home and you can sort through it all.
- If you are planning on driving on Halloween, watch out for children on roadways, medians, and curbs.
- Remember, many children will probably be wearing dark clothing so keep an eye out for them as well.
- Discourage any new, inexperienced drivers in your household from driving on Halloween.
- Tell your children that at no point should they ever get into a stranger’s vehicle or enter their home.
- If you have yet purchased your child’s costume, be sure the one they decide on won’t obstruct their vision.
It is important to review with your children these safety tips and others before Halloween arrives and on the night the holiday falls on. The last thing any parent wants is for their child to become the next victim of an auto accident simply because they weren’t taking the necessary precautions to avoid an accident in the first place.
In the event any mishaps do occur on Halloween and your child suffers an injury in Madison, whether it is on someone else’s property or in an accident with a negligent motorist, contact Madison, MS personal injury attorney William E. Ballard. Our firm will help you understand what your legal rights are as a parent and what forms of action you are permitted to take against the party who caused your child to suffer.
You can reach Ballard Law, PLLC. at:
108 S. President Street
Jackson, MS 39201
769-572-5111
