South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

Halloween is right around the corner and our Boca Raton child injury attorneys and the Boca Raton Police Services Department are here to share some important tips with you and your little trick-or-treater to help reduce the risks of accidents.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you child is about four times more likely to be injured on Halloween night than during any other holiday night of the year. Children can be involved in traffic-related pedestrian accidents in Boca Raton, they can be abducted by strangers, they can consume dangerous candy that has been tampered with, or they can be injured by trip and fall hazards.

"Kids can be safe trick or treating this season by following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines," said Dr. Andre Creese, of the Lawnwood Regional Medical Center.

Boca Raton Police Services Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer these safety tips:

Trick-or-Treating:

-Wear brightly-colored clothing, wear reflective tape or carry a flashlight to help make sure motorists see you.

-Plan a route. Chose a trick-or-treating path that is away from busy traffic and that has sidewalks and crosswalks

-Only approach houses that are well-lit.

-Never enter a stranger's house. Accept all candy at the door.

-Make sure that all costumes are equipped with comfortable shoes. Make sure costumes are short enough to prevent a trip and fall hazard.

-Make sure everyone's fed before heading out to prevent snacking on candy before it's been examined by an adult.

-Consider using face makeup instead of a mask. Masks obstruct your line of vision.

-Don't walk through people's yards. Be respectful.

Halloween at Home:

-Before trick-or-treaters come knocking, make sure that sidewalks, driveways and front porches have been cleared of trip and fall hazards.

-Make sure all of your exterior house lights are on and working.

-Restrain all pets. Children are oftentimes intimidated by animals.

-Never leave candles or lit jack-o-lanterns unattended.

-Consider handing out healthy treats or non-food items like spider rings, toothbrushes, bubbles, etc.

-Make sure all wet surfaces are wiped up and yard debris is clear from walkways.

-Examine all candy before handing it over to children. Be sure to remove all items that have been opened or look like they've been tampered with.

Halloween on the Roadway:

-Never drink and drive.

-Be extremely cautious for little one roaming through residential areas.

-When dropping off children, do it so that they can exit the vehicle on the side away from passing vehicles.

-Avoid late-night driving.

-Be super careful when pulling into or backing out of your driveway. Children are oftentimes overlooked in the dangerous scenarios.

We would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy Halloween and ask that you follow these simple safety tips to help prevent any real scares this year.