Halloween is one of the most fun holidays of the year. Between the candy and the costumes, it’s easy to forget that safety is integral to the celebration. Taking precautions this time of year will prevent this day from becoming seriously scary. Here are three ways to be safe this Halloween.
Plan ahead
It is essential to know how your night will go when it comes to having fun Halloween plans. If you’re planning on going trick or treating with your children, ensure you have a route picked out and ready to go. Make everyone aware of the plan so that no one is confused about how the night will go. If you are planning on attending a Halloween party, make plans for arriving and leaving the event. If the party involves drinking, have a designated driver or a ride-hailing service prepared. Thinking through a plan for the night will help everyone stay on the same page to prevent any accidents.
Trick or Treat Safely
Trick or treating is one of the most fun aspects of this holiday, especially for children. However, it’s essential to make your child aware of potential dangers they may come across. It is suggested children under 12 have an adult with them, know how to call 911 in case of emergency, and the cellphone number of their parents in case they get lost. If your child is too young to memorize a phone number, make sure to pin a piece of paper on the inside of their costume with their name, address, and phone number. Having the information written down will help them if they do get separated.
There may come a time when your child is old enough to trick or treat without an adult. In this case, make sure that they have a planned, familiar route. Give them a curfew or the time you will expect them to be home. If they’re spending the night with another friend, make sure they know to check in with you when they are finished for the night. For this night, make sure they have a cell phone with them so that they can contact you. You should also go over some safety rules. Tell them the importance of staying with a group, walking only on sidewalks, going only to well-lit homes, and never going into a stranger’s car or home.
Stay Aware of Surroundings
The tough truth is that a child’s risk of being hit by a car is higher on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Ingrain in your children the importance of being aware of their surroundings at all times, but especially on Halloween night. Give them glow sticks or flashlights to see their surroundings and so that drivers can see them. They should only walk on well-lit sidewalks and only cross the streets at crosswalks. They should know never to assume that a vehicle will stop, so they must be extra cautious next to any roadways. Halloween is an excellent time to remind everyone to put their electronics down while walking. Remind them that putting down electronics allows everyone to watch for any potential dangers.
If you’re planning on driving during the night, ensure that you are alert while driving through residential areas. Take care to look for kids in intersections, at medians, and on curbs. Kids are very excitable and may move in unpredictable ways. Drive slowly, and remove any distractions so that you can concentrate on your surroundings. You may want to turn your headlights on earlier so that you can see people from greater distances. People may also be wearing dark clothing, so be extra careful once the sun goes down.
While this may be a spooky time of year, accidents are even scarier. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney who can get you the compensation you deserve. Here at Greathouse Trial Law, we want to help you understand your rights and what you are entitled to.
Contact us today for your free case evaluation. We aim to serve the great people of Atlanta and to give a voice to the voiceless.
