Halloween Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treaters

Oct 27,2017

Kids across the U.S. anticipate Halloween night, when they get to dress up in fun or spooky costumes and trick-or-treat for candy. While trick-or-treating is usually fun and safe event, it can unfortunately be dangerous as well. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), twice as many children are hit by a vehicle while walking on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Additionally, costumes with long skirts or heavy head pieces can pose a danger for children who are not used to these features.

Here are 8 safe walking tips for trick-or-treating with your kids:

Make sure your child is supervised at all times while trick-or-treating.
Only cross the street at corners, crosswalks or where there is a traffic signal.
Look left, right, then left again before crossing the street.
Always walk on sidewalks or paths when they are available. If none are available, walk facing traffic, as far to the left of the road as possible.
Do not use your phone while walking.
Make sure your children know not to dart out into the street without looking.
Teach your kids to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street in front of them.
Carry glow sticks or flashlights while walking.

Additionally, here are 6 tips for ensuring costume safety for your children:

Ensure that costumes fit appropriately, so children are not at risk of tripping over the material.
Make sure your costumes and wigs are all labeled “flame resistant.”
Choose shoes that fit well that your kids can walk in comfortably.
Avoid walking near lit candles while wearing costumes.
Use reflective tape on costumes and bags so drivers can easily see you, especially if your costumes are dark.
Avoid bulky, heavy masks and head pieces that can obstruct a child’s vision.

Pick Up Your Free Reflective Safety Band

To help keep your family safe this Halloween, Walter Clark Legal Group is providing free reflective wristbands to wear while you are out and about. You can pick one up at the Walter Clark Legal Group office in Rancho Mirage. After you are done using it for trick-or-treating, attach your band to a bicycle or backpack to increase your nighttime visibility.

“Visibility greatly increases safety at night, so we are more than happy to provide these reflective bands to our community this Halloween,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, Yucca Valley, and El Centro and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.