Every Halloween there is the potential for a child to suffer a serious injury in a car accident. It is tragically common for children to run into traffic, to cross the road when it is not safe to do so, or suffer an injury because of a negligent driver. Anyone with children who are going trick or treating this Halloween would be well advised to teach their child and follow these pedestrian safety tips.
Young children should be closely monitored and supervised. Even if you live in a particularly safe neighborhood, it may be in your best interest to stay close with your child. Kids who are running from house to house have a tendency to forget how to safely cross the road and to look both ways before stepping onto the roadway. It is important to cross only at crosswalks or intersections.
Visibility is also an important part of any safe Halloween night. Not only is it important that motorist can see children attempting to cross the road, it is also crucial that children be able to see through their costumes or masks. Children should be provided flashlights or glow sticks. They should also wear at least a few bright items and should stay on the sidewalk. They should be told never to run or walk from between parked cars. Additionally, it may be best to avoid masks that don’t fit properly or masks that restrict the child’s ability to see.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) also recommends light bags or sacks and reflective tape. Children should only visit homes with lights on, and costumes should be short enough to prevent tripping accidents. A Las Vegas personal injury attorney at Shook & Stone wishes you and yours a safe and enjoyable Halloween. If you or a loved one is hurt during this holiday as a result of someone else’s negligence, do not hesitate to call our offices at 702-570-0000 to schedule your no-cost consultation.
