Halloween Safety Tips: Preventing Pedestrian & Car Accidents
It is that time of year again, as adults and children alike gear up for the fun and festivities that center around fall and Halloween. While children look forward to dressing up as scary monsters, Disney princesses, and action heroes in order to get their full quota of candy, many adults are devising their own costumes to compete at parties and Charleston events. Having a good time over Halloween is important, but so is keeping yourself safe from accidents and injuries, which are common at this time of year. In this article, we’ll provide some Halloween safety tips to help prevent the most common personal injury on this holiday, pedestrian and car accidents.
Halloween Car Accidents and Personal Injuries
According to a 2015 US News and World Report article on Halloween safety, as many as 41 million trick or treaters flood neighborhood streets and shopping malls throughout the country on Halloween night. In addition to little ghouls and goblins, there are also the adults who accompany them, as well as those who head out in search of fun at parties hosted by friends or local bars and clubs. Unfortunately, the increase in the number of pedestrians and the amount of traffic along with lower nighttime visibility and alcohol consumption results in an increased likelihood for accidents and injuries to occur. The report states that car accidents and those involving pedestrians spike in number on Halloween night, and in as many as half of these accidents, alcohol use is a factor.
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Halloween Safety Tips
In an effort to cut down on the number of accidents and injuries that occur over Halloween, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides a few Halloween safety tips. They urge all motorists to drive safely, slow down and be alert for trick or treaters, and, as always, avoid getting behind the wheel if you have been drinking. Drivers should pay particular attention in neighborhoods with a lot of children, and be on the alert for little ones who may dart into traffic. Parents of young children are also urged to use caution, and follows these Halloween safety tips:
- Never allow young children to trick or treat without adult supervision
- Make sure older children go out in groups and only visit familiar areas
- Use specially designed face paint instead of masks, which can make it difficult for your child to see
- Use reflective tape on costumes, and carry light sticks to increase visibility
- Use intersections when crossing busy streets, and look left, right then left again before leaving the sidewalk
Halloween revelers of all ages need to be especially cautious concerning pedestrian accidents in downtown Charleston. If you have had too much to drink, rather than walking, opt for a cab or take an Uber instead.
Get Help From a Charleston, SC Personal Injury Attorney
If you or someone you care about is injured as the result of a pedestrian or car accident, contact the personal injury attorneys at Anastopoulo Law Firm right away. Our experienced South Carolina accident attorneys provide the aggressive legal representation you need to help you get compensation for the damages you suffer.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
