Halloween is a celebration for kids and adults alike. Costumes, parties, decorations, and trick-or-treating all make the end of October a fun time of year. Although a favorite holiday for many people, Halloween is also one of the most dangerous nights of the year. It is important for celebrating families to take steps to avoid accidents and injuries.
Common Halloween Night Injuries
Children and adults both can be injured on Halloween in several ways:
At-Home Halloween Injuries
Carving pumpkins is a fun, family activity and a traditional part of Halloween celebrations. But carving with sharp knives carries a risk of lacerations.
People using live candles in their jack-o-lanterns also have a risk of burn injuries.
Food poisoning is a risk when kids go to different homes trick or treating. Beware of homemade goods from strangers, unwrapped items, unusual smells, odd appearance or discoloration, and expired pull dates.
Costumes with sharp accessories can also cause injuries. Sharp swords and tiaras can injure the eyes. Flowing capes and costumes and long wigs can lead to burn injuries. Some Halloween costumes on the market may not be safe for children. Product safety issues may give rise to a product liability claim.
Pedestrian Halloween Injuries
On Halloween night, while millions of kids are out on the street trick or treating, more drunk drivers are on the roads. This can lead to serious pedestrian accidents. Children walking on streets are more likely to be injured when they are:
Not accompanied by adults
Not carrying a flashlight
Lacking visibility aids on their costumes
Not instructed on Halloween safety tips
Trick or treaters and adults accompanying them can also be hurt in slip or trip and fall accidents. Pedestrians may slip on fallen leaves or icy patches, or trip in the dark and suffer serious falls.
Driver Halloween Injuries
Pedestrians are not the only ones on the streets who are at risk of injury on Halloween night. Drivers can also be hurt in serious drunk driving accidents. Many adults attend Halloween parties where alcohol is served. Despite the laws against it, some of them still drive impaired, causing wrecks and injuries to others.
Tips for Pedestrian Safety on Halloween
When children are old enough to venture out with their friends for trick or treating on Halloween night, it is important to teach them about personal safety. They need to understand that they should not approach certain homes (where predators may be residing) and should not enter homes for any reason. In addition, the following safety tips can help prevent accidents and injuries on Halloween night:
Always carry a flashlight.
Walk on sidewalks whenever possible.
Stick to the streets where there are other trick or treaters.
Use cell phones only when necessary and to check in at a designated time.
Only go to homes with lights on that are being visited by others.
Do not approach a strange dog or any dog without permission from the owner.
Do not talk to anyone driving by in a car.
Do not eat candy until it is inspected by an adult. Throw out anything with even a partially open wrapper.
Why You Need a Lawyer for Halloween Injuries
If you or your child is injured in a traffic crash or pedestrian accident or hurt by a dangerous costume on Halloween, it is important to pursue compensation for your losses. These may include medical expenses, lost earnings, loss of earning potential, and physical and mental pain and suffering. Your best chance of recovering full and fair compensation is to have experienced Phoenix personal injury attorneys handling your case.
The husband and wife law team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. has a successful track record recovering compensation for our clients. Attorney Mark Breyer is a certified specialist in injury and wrongful death law. Call us at (928) 585-5581 to schedule a free consultation after serious Halloween night injuries.