Halloween Safety: Too Many Children Are Killed

Avoid a Wrongful Death in Your Family!

The spooky and clever décor dons the front entryway of our homes. The anticipation to have both the frightful and innocent hands reach into the sugar-infested dish can hardly be contained as Halloween approaches. For many of us the joys of Halloweens are not because of the candy, but because of the fun a child has while trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. However, those joys can be cut-short if we don’t discuss the need for safety on such a popular night.

In 2014 a slew of accidents happened during trick-or-treating events. In Los Angeles, two twin girls and a friend were struck by an SUV while they went door-to-door for candy. All three girls were pronounced dead as over 200 people witnessed the horrific incident. The driver fled the scene and was never found.

Another incident in Washington State left two 7 year old girls seriously injured because they were hit by a vehicle. The car was said to have been driving erratically, jumped the curb and hit the two girls.

And lastly, a three year old little boy was killed and 16 year old was seriously injured when crossing an intersection while trick-or-treating in New York. The driver in this particular incident remained at the scene and cooperated with the authorities.

These are just some examples of the tragedies that happened during the 2014 Halloween festivities across the country. Unfortunately, these types of misfortunes are happening more often than not. While parents have always been advised to inspect every last bit of candy---it is more than that.

Parents need to discuss the dangers that go along with what is supposed to be a fun-filled night—not a heartbreaking one. Keep these tips in mind before you and your family members venture out for the evening:

1. Never let children under the age of 12 go trick-or-treating by themselves.
2. Make sure all costumes fit properly to avoid slips and falls.
3. Make sure all costumes have some sort of reflective piece on them so drivers and other pedestrians can see him/her.
4. Every child, whether wearing a mask or not, should be able to see clearly and not have any obstructions in the way of their sight.
5. When crossing the street, try to stay in a large group.
6. Have a flashlight or glow stick handy to help others see you and you see your surroundings.
7. Never walk near lit candles or luminaries.

Halloween safety is more than just checking to see if your child’s candy was individually wrapped. It is more than just walking next to them while out on the sidewalk. Keeping your family and loved ones safe this Halloween should be the upmost priority! At Kaine Law we wish all your ghosts and goblins a very safe and Happy Halloween!