As the leaves change colours and the crisp autumn air descends upon Ontario, the excitement of the upcoming holidays begins to set in. Halloween is a fun holiday embraced by children, teenagers and adults alike. As the streets become filled with witches, superheroes, and monsters, the excitement in the air is palpable. However, amidst all the fun and festivities, it is important to remember that Halloween can also bring frightful hazards that could lead to injuries and accidents. Therefore, it is important that motorists, Halloweeners, and homeowners all take additional precautions to ensure that it remains a safe and spooky night.
In this blog, we will focus on Halloween safety and recommended precautions designed to help families across the province enjoy the holiday to its fullest while ensuring everyone remains safe. This post will explore a range of valuable tips and insights to keep in mind as you prepare for a night of spooky fun, from costume considerations to trick-or-treating safety and responsible hosting practices.
Do Not Let Halloween Injuries Haunt You
Whether you are a parent shepherding your little monsters through the neighbourhood or a homeowner anxiously awaiting trick-or-treaters, everyone can take a few extra steps to ensure that this Halloween remains a celebration for all the right reasons. Health Canada also outlines additional Halloween safety tips to ensure that families who celebrate have a safe and fun season.
Make Sure Ghosts and Goblins are Seen
With the sun setting as trick-or-treaters fill the street, it is critical to ensure that your costume, regardless of your age, is safe for the costume wearer and can easily be seen by other ghouls on the road. Adding glow sticks, reflectors, or flashing lights to a costume can help ensure that other pedestrians and motorists see you. When it comes to masks, make sure that it allows for proper airflow and does not impair your vision or impede on your ability to hear other monsters or vehicles. It is also important to ensure that your costume is not too heavy and is an appropriate length to avoid tripping hazards.
Tips for Trick-or-Treating
It is recommended that parents or guardians accompany their children while trick-or-treating until they are old enough to go out with a friend or group. When you are out, a flashlight can ensure that your trick-or-treaters can see and can be seen by other pedestrians, homeowners, and drivers.
It is important to talk with your child about Halloween safety and ensure they know to stay in well-lit areas and only visit houses with their outside lights on. Teaching your little monster to be careful when crossing the street, walk on the sidewalk, and never run between parked cars can help avoid potential accidents.
Defensive Driving
Distracted driving is a dangerous activity on any day. However, on a dark October evening, when the streets are filled with trick-or-treaters, paying attention to anything aside from the road can quickly lead to an accident. Although it is easy to become distracted by creepy costumes or spooky decorative displays, it is critical to keep your eyes on the road at all times. Drivers should avoid checking their cell phones or playing loud music and should try to refrain from engaging in animated conversations or disagreements with passengers, particularly while driving in neighbourhoods with high traffic of Halloweeners.
If you are driving in a costume, ensure it does not impair your vision and hearing or restrict your movement, as this can prevent your ability to operate the vehicle safely. If you are attending a party, plan your transportation ahead of time and do not drive impaired.
Spooky and Safe Decorative Displays
It is not just vehicles that pose a danger on Halloween. For homeowners who have decorated their yards and plan to open their doors and hand out candy to little monsters, it is important to ensure that you provide a clear, well-lit pathway to welcome trick-or-treaters. By turning on your porch lights and keeping your lawn, driveway, or other walkways free and clear of potential tripping hazards or other obstacles, such as extension cords, you can ensure that everyone remains safe while on your property and will help minimize the potential risk of occupiers liability.
If you have pets, it is also important to ensure that they are kept away from the door when trick-or-treaters arrive to avoid potential incidents.
Suppose weather conditions create other potential hazards for those entering your property. In that case, it is critical to pay particular attention to driveway, lawn, and porch maintenance regularly throughout the night. Clearing leaves or salting and sanding walkways as needed can make all the difference for anyone looking for a treat. It is also important to proactively ensure that your porches, stairs, railings and any other walking are maintained in good working condition and that necessary repairs are made before Halloween night.
Have a Safe Halloween at Home
In anticipation of the big night, it is important to remain vigilant for potential fire and injury hazards. To avoid injuries when carving pumpkins, let your children draw on or paint a pumpkin and leave the carving to the adults. If you are using a real candle inside of your jack-o-lantern, ensure they are not left unattended, and they are placed away from flammable objects and curtains. Alternatively, you may use a small battery-operated candle or flashing light to minimize fire hazards.
Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers at Tierney Stauffer LLP for Advice on Your Personal Injury Claim
An accident resulting in a personal injury is a stressful event that is often made even more stressful due to financial worry and uncertainty. At Tierney Stauffer LLP, our experienced personal injury lawyers will help you make decisions about what to do following your accident and will manage your injury claim to ensure you can prioritize your health and recovery. Whether you were injured in a trip and fall, car accident, or a pedestrian accident, we work to ensure that every client obtains the best possible outcome. Call our office at 1-888-799-8057 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation and discuss your matter with a member of our team.