Halloween Safety Starts Before the Candy Comes Out

Frankenstein, monsters, superheroes, and princesses will soon be taking over California streets this October at theme parks and neighborhoods. Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year for children—but it also brings some very real safety concerns for families.

Attorney James Johnson advises parents to take time and prepare for Halloween to keep the evening focused on costumes, candy, and fun—not accidents and injuries.

Make children visible. Halloween often means walking after sunset. Choose costumes that are bright and easy for drivers to see. Add reflective tape or reflective accessories, and consider carrying a flashlight or glow stick.

Keep costumes safe. Avoid costumes that drag on the ground or create a tripping hazard. Masks should not block a child’s vision. Face paint can be a good alternative to a mask, provided it is designed for use on skin.

Watch those crosswalks. Halloween can put more pedestrians on neighborhood streets than usual. Children should use sidewalks whenever possible and cross at marked crosswalks or intersections. Teach them to look left, right and left again before crossing—and never assume a driver sees them simply because they can see the vehicle.

Slow down in residential neighborhoods. Drivers should expect children to appear unexpectedly between parked cars or near driveways. Put down the phone, eliminate distractions and reduce speed.

Trick-or-treat with younger children. Small children should have an adult with them. Older children should travel in groups and have a predetermined route and check-in time.

Check the treats. Before children start digging into their Halloween haul, parents should inspect candy and other treats. Anything that appears opened, damaged or otherwise questionable should be discarded.

Be careful around driveways and parked cars. A driveway can become particularly difficult to see when children are wearing dark costumes and moving from house to house. Drivers should carefully check around their vehicles before backing out.

And remember: Halloween safety applies to adults, too. If your celebration includes alcohol, arrange a sober driver, rideshare or other safe transportation. Never drink and drive.

When You Need Someone on Your Side

Attorney James Johnson understands that an accident can turn your life upside down. He cares about his clients and is committed to helping injured Californians understand their rights and options. If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, call James Johnson at 1-800-208-3538 for a free case review.

James Johnson — I’m on your team.

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