Strategies for Preventing Injury to Trick-or-Treaters
According to statistics compiled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 3,000 people make a trip to the emergency room every year on or immediately after Halloween. Nearly half of those requiring treatment are under the age of 18, and one in ten are under the age of six. Furthermore, the rate of pedestrian accidents involving children doubles on Halloween. There are, however, specific steps you can take to maximize your child’s safety while trick-or-treating this year.
Go to an Indoor Trick-or-Treat Event
Over the past couple of decades, this has become a popular alternative to having your children out walking the streets and sidewalks. Many malls have festive events with games and entertainment, as well as candy from most merchants. Churches and some civic organizations have also come on board, hosting “trunk-or-treat” events in their parking lots.
Staying Safe While Walking the Neighborhood
Going to an indoor event can take some effort, bundling all the kids up, strapping everyone in the car, and driving some distance. If you’d rather stay in your own neighborhood, there are still ways to stay safe. Here’s how:
- Plan your route ahead of time—Think about where you’ll go, how much stamina your kids will have (particularly if they are small), and whether or not you’ll have to cross the street. Often, walking all the way around a single city block will be enough./li>
- Chaperone your kids—With little ones, you’ll want to stay with them at all times. As they get older, you can stay on the sidewalk as they go to each door. Everyone will be safer if you go in a group.
- Make certain your kids wear costumes that are visible—Encourage your kids to wear costumes that everyone can see, so they don’t get knocked over. Black costumes can be cool, but add some reflective tape or have the kids carry glow-in-the-dark props. You can also have the kids carry a flashlight; often, that’s a really fun thing for a small child to do and it increases their safety.
- Make certain costumes fit—Many ER visits are caused when kids trip on costumes that are too long.
- Keep your kids on the sidewalks as much as possible—Most falls are on uneven ground away from sidewalks.
- Don’t let kids cross a street alone—Unfortunately, there are always some parents who drive their kids around. In the excitement of the moment, small children often don’t look before they cross the road and fail to notice traffic.
Avoiding Food-Related Injuries
Tainted food at Halloween is extremely rare. One study found an average of less than three reported cases per year since the 1950s. There are, however, other ways your children can be hurt by Halloween treats:
- Choking hazards, particularly with hard candy and nuts
- Allergic reactions, most often involving wheat, soy, milk, or peanuts
To minimize the risk of food related injuries, it’s a good idea to do a quick inspection of everything your children got once you arrive back home. Also, make certain your kids eat before they go trick-or-treating, so they’re not tempted to eat while trick-or-treating and before you can inspect the treats. If anything seems unusual—a torn wrapper or unwrapped candy—it’s best to dispose of it.
Contact the Proven Personal Injury Lawyers at Bailey & Galyen
At the law offices of Bailey & Galyen, we have aggressively protected the rights of personal injury victims throughout Texas for more than four decades. In the 40+ years we’ve fought for clients across the Lone Star State, we have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in judgments and settlements. We will be your advocate throughout the legal process, from the investigation of your accident to the filing of a complaint, and through trial and the final resolution of your lawsuit. Contact us by e-mail or call our offices at one of the convenient locations listed below. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
