Halloween Safety Tips!

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that Halloween is one of the top three days for pedestrian injuries and fatalities. Although many families may stay closer to home, many drivers may not be expecting the trick-or-treaters who venture out on October 31st!

Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that children are four times more likely to be struck by a motor vehicle on Halloween than any other day of the year.

Halloween is a fun, so drivers, parents, and trick-or-treaters often forget the dangers. It is a time to be more alert. If you or someone you know is injured, call the injury attorneys with Althauser Rayan Abbarno at (360) 736-1301.

Here are some tips to keep you safe this Halloween:

Drivers

  • Slow down and obey all traffic signs and signals. Drive at least 5 mph below the posted speed limit to allow for more time to react if children run into the road;
  • Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs. Dar costumes are hard to see and the pedestrians may be distracted;
  • Carefully enter and exit driveways and alleys; and
  • Turn on your headlights to make yourself more visible – even in at dusk.

Parents

  • Do not allow children under the age of 12 to trick-or-treat without an responsible adult or older youth;
  • Plan and discuss the route your trick-or-treaters will follow and check in regularly;
  • Instruct children to travel only in familiar areas and along established routes;
  • Teach children to stop only at well-lit houses and to never to enter a stranger’s home, garage, shop, or vehicle;
  • Establish a time for children to return home; and
  • Tell children not to eat any treats until they get home.

Trick-or-Treaters

  • Be bright at night – wear retro-reflective tape on costumes and treat buckets to improve visibility to motorists and others;
  • Wear disguises that don’t obstruct vision, and avoid facemasks. Instead, use nontoxic face paint;
  • Ensure any props are flexible and blunt-tipped to avoid injury from tripping or horseplay;
  • Carry a flashlight containing fresh batteries, and place it facedown in the treat bucket to free up one hand. Never shine it into the eyes of oncoming drivers;
  • Stay on sidewalks and avoid walking in streets if possible. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic.
  • Look both ways and listen for traffic before crossing the street and cross streets only at the corner, and never cross between parked vehicles or mid-block;
  • Trick-or-treat in a group if someone older cannot go with you;
  • Check in regularly with parents or adults and stay on an agreed upon schedule and route; and
  • Never enter a home, garage, shop, or vehicle without permission from
    Tell your parents where you are going.

Injured? Contact Althauser Rayan Abbarno!

The injury attorneys with Althauser Rayan Abbarno have been representing individuals in our community since 1946. For an injury consultation in Centralia or Olympia, call (360) 736-1301 or visit www.CentraliaLaw.com.