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Halloween Safety Tips – Protect Your Children
Law Firm of Burman, Critton, Luttier & Coleman
Even if your children are not trick-or-treating on "Elm Street," Halloween can be a safety "nightmare" for moms and dads.
Children are more than twice as likely to be killed by a vehicle while walking on Halloween than any other night of the year, according to Safe Kids USA. In an analysis of deaths from 2002 to 2006, the group found that an average of 2.2 children are killed in pedestrian accidents from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Halloween, compared with one child every other evening at the same time. More than 540 kids under age 14 are killed in pedestrian accidents each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control, an average of four wrongful deaths per year occurred during Halloween hours amongst children ages 5-14 years.
How to Enjoy a Safe Halloween
- When escorting kids around neighborhoods, be mindful to use cross walks and always avoid jaywalking – look left and right and left again and make eye contact with drivers.
- Nearly 80 percent of pedestrian deaths occur between intersections, according to Safe Kids USA.
- Dress kids’ costumes with reflectors and give them glow sticks. Adults should carry a flashlight both to illuminate walkways for children and to alert motorists that trick-or-treaters are in the vicinity.
- Check with the local police department (in Palm Beach visit: http://www.pbso.org) to determine the safest areas to trick-or-treat, especially when going door to door in a new neighborhood.
Driver Safety Tips for Halloween Eve
Last year, 4,378 people were killed in pedestrian accidents. Halloween can be a dangerous time for young pedestrians. Often children are so excited that they dart out into traffic. 84% of pedestrian deaths among young pedestrians occur at non-intersection locations. Drivers need to be hyper-vigilant on Halloween. The following are some tips for drivers to insure that a pedestrian accident does not occur:
- Don't use a cell phone while driving because being distracted can lead to an accident.
- Watch for children darting across streets and from between parked cars.
- Stay below the posted speed limit during trick-or-treating hours and in neighborhoods.
- Do not attempt to pass stopped cars. They could be stopped for children crossing the street or to drop off children.
- Stay alert at intersections.
- Pay attention to children on sidewalks as they may suddenly run across a street.
- Don't assume that a child approaching your car sees you; A mask or excitement might obscure their vision.
- If you are dropping off a child, when you pull to the curb, turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
- If you attend a Halloween party, do not drive with a mask on.
At Burman, Critton, Luttier & Coleman making a difference and keeping our communities safe is very important to us. Please be alert and help keep all children safe this Halloween.
