It is important to constantly remind children how to behave safely when trick-or-treating. Safekids.org recommends “repeated and consistent” messaging to instruct children about safety. Your reminders should include advice on how to cross the street. It is important to encourage safe pedestrian habits because it can be difficult to see small children who are dressed in dark costumes at night.
Children should also cross the road at intersections or crosswalks. They should also only cross after looking both ways and back again. Children younger than 12 years old should have adult supervision as they cross the street. All pedestrians should remain on the sidewalk or areas designated for pedestrians.
There are steps parents can take to help increase the visibility of their children and prevent child injury accidents. Giving children flashlights is a good start. Attaching reflective tape to trick-or-treat bags, shoes, and costumes can help as well. It can also help to give your child a glow stick or lighted jewelry that can be made a part of their costumes. If possible, planning a trick-or-treating route along well-lit roads can be helpful as well.
It is not always easy to convince a child of what a costume should look like, but there are certain outfits that are safer than others. Wearing makeup is preferable to masks that restrict their vision. It is also wise to wear outfits that are bright. Black witch gowns, for example, are extremely difficult to see at night.
The experienced Oklahoma pedestrian accident lawyers at Maples Law Firm have seen a number of Halloween-related accidents over the years. We wish you and your family a safe Halloween. If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver, please call our office at (405) 705-5050 for a free case evaluation.
