Halloween Safety Tips

As parents and children head into local neighborhoods in Chicago on Halloween, it is important to know and understand the potential dangers they could face. While it is an exciting and fun time for everyone to show off their costumes, trick-or-treat, and see all the unique and scary Halloween decorations, it can quickly become a traumatic or devastating experience if parents, children, and others are not careful.

The data on the dangers of Halloween

There is a lot of data on the dangers of Halloween. Some of the information that you should know and be aware of includes:

• More children are run over, struck, and killed in pedestrian accidents on Halloween than at any other time of the year.
• The risk of children between the ages of four and eight being hit and killed by a vehicle is ten times higher on Halloween when compared to other days.
• Over 3,000 people are treated in emergency room departments for injuries that occurred on Halloween. Of those injured, around 56 percent are children 17 and under.
• Between 2015 and 2019, more than 120 people were killed in drunk driving car accidents on Halloween.
• Compared to the following week, pedestrians have double the chance of being killed on October 31^st.
• With Halloween being on a Thursday this year, you should know that Thursday night Halloweens usually experience a 15.51 percent increase in fatal car accidents compared to regular Thursday nights with no activities.

What types of accidents are common on Halloween in Chicago?

Pedestrian accidents are very common on Halloween. Parents and children are traveling mostly on foot as they trick-or-treat in Chicago. Therefore, inattentive drivers have a higher risk of striking and injuring one of the many pedestrians out that night, especially after dark. However, pedestrian incidents are not the only type of accident that is common on Halloween. Here are a few other accidents that frequently occur on the spookiest night of the year:

• Slips, trips, and falls: Whether you or your child are walking around the neighborhood, walking up someone’s steps or porch, or running through a haunted house, slips, trips, and falls may happen. These types of accidents may occur because a property is not maintained or safe for visitors or trick-or-treaters, children are roughhousing or horseplaying with one another, an individual becomes spooked or scared by a costume or decoration, or a costume is too long and touches the ground near the shoes. About 25 percent of individuals who need medical treatment on Halloween have been involved in a slip, trip, or fall.
• Drunk driving accidents: Many people host Halloween parties where everyone gathers around, enjoys food and candy, tells spooky stories, and participates in various Halloween activities. While this may sound like a great time, many of these parties involve alcohol. Therefore, if these people do not depend on a rideshare service or have a designated driver drive them home, they put themselves and others in danger of being involved in a drunk driving accident. Between 2015 and 2019, around 40 percent of fatal car accidents on Halloween night had at least one drunk or intoxicated driver.
• Pumpkin-carving accidents: Even though everyone loves to carve pumpkins and create jack-o’-lanterns on Halloween, cuts and lacerations are frequent injuries that arise while doing this activity. Around 55 percent of the 3,200 people treated in emergency rooms nationwide have injuries from pumpkin-carving accidents. Therefore, if you are not careful or do not ensure that your child has the help, guidance, and proper tools that they need, you could end up making a trip to the hospital for stitches.
• Fires and burns: Since people place candles and jack-o’-lanterns around their homes, porches, and driveways on Halloween, fires and burns are common. This may happen if a long and flowing costume gown gently brushes against a candle or jack-o’-lantern or if a candle or jack-o’-lantern is knocked over, causing the flames to spread.
• Candy poisoning or allergic reactions: Parents should always check their child’s candy before they eat it. If they do not, they may find that their child is allergic to a piece of candy or that a piece of candy was tampered with. For example, if your child is allergic to peanuts, it is critical that you inspect their candy for allergens.

Some tips to keep you, your child, and others safe on Halloween

We want to leave you with these tips to follow to ensure that you, your child, and others stay safe and happy this Halloween:

• Always accompany and supervise children who are 12 and younger when they go trick-or-treating.
• Bring a flashlight with working batteries.
• Place reflective tape on your child’s costume to increase their visibility.
• Encourage your child to walk on the sidewalk instead of in the street when possible.
• You and your child should remove all masks or other costume-related products that may obstruct your view while walking.
• Cut or trim part of your or your child’s costume if it is dragging the ground or could easily be stepped on and cause a trip or fall.
• Remember that it is still necessary to use crosswalks to cross the street, even on Halloween night.
• If you attend a Halloween party and drink any alcoholic beverages, order a rideshare service or ask a family member or friend to pick you up and take you home.
• If you are driving on Halloween, it is important to exercise caution, use your headlights, pay attention, and look out for families and children who may be trick-or-treating or roaming around the neighborhoods.
• If you use candles, ensure that children or their costumes cannot touch or come into contact with the flames.
• If you are handing out candy, make sure your porch, driveway, steps, and walkway are well-lit and hazard-free for children and parents.
• Inspect your child’s candy before they eat it. If you notice any opened wrappers or any other types of candy or homemade goods that look suspicious or tampered with, throw them away.

If you or your child are injured on Halloween, please do not hesitate to contact a Chicago personal injury attorney from Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers as soon as possible. Our team believes that families and children should be able to enjoy this fun night every year with no accidents or injuries, which is why we are dedicated to holding the responsible party accountable for negligent actions that caused your injuries. Call our office or complete our contact form to learn how we protect your rights, help you file a personal injury claim, and pursue the compensation you need and deserve to get your life back on track.