Halloween is right around the corner and as our little witches and zombies prepare their costumes for the big night, parents are urged to talk with their little ones about the dangers they’ll face on this spooky night. Have fun, but stay safe. It’s important to remember that your child is four times more likely to be involved in a pedestrian accident in Chicago on Halloween night than during any other night out of the year.As children make their rounds through our neighborhoods collecting candy, motorists are asked to be extremely careful on our roadways. Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that young children are oftentimes unable to understand the dangers they face on our roadways. It is up to adults to make sure that these little goblins make it back to their haunted house safely this Halloween.
Drivers should keep a heads up, drive slowly through neighborhoods and curb all distractions to help keep our trick-or-treaters safe this year.
Here are some simple tips from the Rush University Medical Center to help keep all little monsters safe during this year’s Halloween adventures:
-Make sure everyone is wearing comfortable shoes.
-Alter costumes so that they’re not long enough to cause a trip and fall hazard. The National Safety Council reports that falls are the number one cause of unintentional injury on Halloween.
-Make sure your costume is flame-retardant. All loose ends should be removed to help prevent a fire.
-Try to avoid a costume with a sword or a knife, but if you’re going to carry one with you all night make sure that it’s soft enough to not cause injury.
-You should wear face makeup or paint instead of a mask. Masks are dangerous because they can obstruct a person’s line of vision and could potentially lead them into the line of danger.
-When purchasing costume makeup, be sure to get the kind that’s marked hypoallergenic makeup. Parents are urged to test makeup on a small portion of your child’s skin before covering their face.
-Wear light-colored clothing while trick-or-treating to help make sure that motorists can see you.
-All small children should either carry a flashlight or wear reflective tape on their costume.
-Young children should only be allowed to trick-or-treat under the supervision of a responsible adult.
-Feed your child dinner before going out to trick-or-treat. This way they’re less likely to snack on candy that you haven’t inspected.
-Once you’re all home, inspect everyone’s treats. Throw away any candy that has been opened or appears to have been tampered with.
-Make sure your child knows not to go into a stranger’s house or get into a stranger’s car.
-Remove all candies that may be a choking hazard for your small child.
-Motorists are urged to be extra cautious when pulling into or backing out of a driveway. Children are overlooked in these circumstances all too often.
-If you’re dropping off a child, always to do on the curb side of the sidewalk. Never let someone out of your vehicle on the traffic side of the car.
Our Illinois injury attorneys and the staff at our law offices would like to wish you and your family a safe and Happy Halloween!
The Chicago injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offers a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.
More Blog Entries:
Two Children Injured in a Three-Car Accident in Illinois, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, August 16, 2011
Hill hopping accident in Illinois claims the lives of two teens, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, June 22, 2011