Halloween Safety
As a parent of three boys I know that kids get very excited about Halloween. As a personal injury lawyer I know that Halloween can also be dangerous.
More child pedestrians are injured and killed by vehicles on Halloween than any other day of the year (by a large margin). Every one of these injuries and deaths is preventable. Close supervision of young children minimizes risk. However, a 2011 poll showed that 12% of parents of children 5 and younger allowed them to trick-or-treat without adult supervision. The same poll showed that only one third of parents talk to their children about Halloween safety each year. Another study showed that only 18% of parents use reflective tape on their children’s Halloween costumes.
Parents are not the only people who can prevent Halloween injuries and deaths. Drivers should slow down and be alert when driving on Halloween evening. Texting and driving is always dangerous but it is reckless on a night when a child might run out in front of your car.
Hazards other than vehicles can be encountered on Halloween. Homeowners should eliminate tripping hazards and keep pathways well lit. Falls are a leading cause of injury among children on Halloween. Failure to take steps to protect people from injury can result in legal liability if they are injured on your property.
All that said, Halloween is one of my favourite nights of the year. Stay safe and enjoy the candy.
About the Authors
Troy Lehman joined Oatley Vigmond in 2006 and became a partner in 2010. As a personal injury lawyer, his greatest satisfaction comes from helping people through to the other side of a difficult time in their lives. “We’re here to help and relieve stress,” Troy says. “When I walk into a first meeting with a client, people are often scared and anxious. And for me, the best thing that can happen at the end of the meeting is that they say, ‘I feel so much better.’