Avoid Common Halloween Injuries

It's that time of year again. The zombies, ghouls, and ghosts will be on the prowl. Halloween can be fun for both the kids and adults. So, while you are trick or treating or partying in your costume, be careful and try to avoid common Halloween injuries.

Pedestrian Accidents

There are reports that children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. That is a staggering and scary statistic. For this reason, keep yourself and your kids safe with visibility. Bring flashlights, glow sticks, and use reflective materials on the kids' costumes. Also, and we can not stress this enough, remind your kids to look out for cars.

 Slip & Fall Accidents

It's typically nightfall when trick-or-treating. Kids may go to houses without sufficient lighting. As a result, they can trip on bumpy sidewalks and porch steps. Likewise, elaborate Halloween displays can lead to trip and fall injuries. For example, a child can trip over faux graveyards and extension cords. And, in New Jersey, wet leaves are everywhere. They can be slippery like ice. Again, educate your children to avoid these common Halloween injuries.

Dog Bites

Dogs may not experience the same excitement as their owners on Halloween. Due to their protective nature, many dogs may not take too kindly to the endless stream of strangers visiting their homes. Plus, costumes may freak them out. In short, Beware of the Dog. While dog owners are responsible for their dog's actions, keep your eyes and ears open.

Costume Injuries

Kids get so excited when picking out their costumes – as they should. However, some costumes come with risks. As a lawyer would say, a costume could be a defective product. For instance, a costume or an accessory can be a choking, tripping, or suffocation hazard. Be smart when choosing your child's costume.

Drinking

Who doesn't love a Halloween party? Apparently, adults do – and they sometimes consume a lot of alcohol. According to the American Addiction Centers website, Halloween is one of the booziest holidays of the year. With so much drinking going on, it is not surprising when injuries occur. First, too many people get behind the wheel. We all know that drunk driving can lead to severe accidents, causing serious injuries or death. Similarly, people can get hurt in fights, falls, and by poor judgment and actions of their drunken, fellow partygoers.

Food Allergies

Kids have all sorts of food allergies. They are allergic to nuts, dairy, soy, wheat, to name a few. Ingesting these allergens, even the smallest amount, can cause a life-threatening reaction. So parents, please check your kid's treat bags carefully. And, again, education is the key. Tell them not to eat anything until you check labels and give the all-clear sign.

Be Safe

All of us at the Gray Law Group wish you and your family a fun and safe Halloween. However, we are here to help if something goes wrong.