BE GHOULISH…NOT FOOLISH: SAFETY TIPS FOR A HAZARD-FREE HALLOWEEN

You don’t have to be a kid to love Halloween. Dressing up as your favorite character or superhero, decorating the lawn with witches and spiders and splurging on treats is fun at any age. However, the holiday can be dangerous for younger children, who are twice as likely to be seriously injured or killed by a car on Halloween than any other day, according to the National Safety Council. Fortunately, taking simple precautions can help trick-or-treaters of all ages safely enjoy this fun-filled holiday.

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Recommended reading: New Michigan Law Prohibits Hand-Held Cell Phones

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS

• When crossing streets, look both ways and wait for cars to stop, even if you have the right of way
• Use designated crosswalks when possible
• Watch for cars entering or backing out of driveways
• Use flashlights on streets without sufficient lighting or sidewalks
• Explain the dangers of texting or other distractions when walking and be a positive example
• Make sure young children are accompanied by a trusted adult or teen
• Encourage older children to trick-or-treat in a group and stay together
• Teach kids never to enter the home or car of someone they do not know

SAFEGUARD YOUR HOME TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS

• Make sure the front walk and porch are free from tripping hazards such as toys, bikes and piles of leaves
• Turn on outdoor lights and replace any burnt-out bulbs
• Keep dogs and other pets inside and away from the door when trick-or-treaters come
• Don’t put candle-lit pumpkins or other decorations on the porch or lawn

Recommended reading: Michigan Supreme Court Rules to Hold Landlords and Property Owners More Accountable for Slip and Fall Accidents

FUN FACTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN

• Halloween is an outgrowth of Samhain, a 600 A.D. Gaelic festival celebrating the end of summer. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as “All Saints Day” and the night before was called “All Hallow’s Eve,” which later evolved to “Halloween.”
• The traditional Halloween colors of orange and black originated during the Celtic festival of Samhain, when black symbolized the death of summer and orange represented the harvest season.
• Black cats were considered a symbol of the devil during the Middle Ages, which led to associating the felines with witchcraft.
• During Samhain, the Celts wore scary costumes to ward off evil spirits they feared would ruin the harvest.
• The tradition of carving Jack-o’-Lanterns is based on an Irish folktale about “Stingy Jack,” who made a bargain-gone-wrong with the devil and was forced to roam the earth with a piece of lighted coal inside a carved-out turnip. Irish and Scottish people began carving creepy faces on turnips and placing them in windows to frighten Jack and other malevolent ghosts. When they immigrated to the U.S., the turnips were replaced by pumpkins, which are easier to carve. 
• According to the National Retail Federation, Halloween spending reached an all-time high of $12.2 billion last year, an increase over the $10.6 billion U.S. consumers spent the year before.

CALL OUR EXPERIENCED PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS TO WIN THE COMPENSATION YOU DESERVE

You’re never too old to enjoy Halloween, and we wish everyone a safe and treat-filled holiday. However, if you or a loved one is injured, we can help. Whether you are hurt in an accident, a slip and fall on someone else’s property or a dog attack, our experienced personal injury lawyers can help. We know what it takes to build a winning case, and we have the expertise and resources to make sure you receive the compensation you and your family deserve.

Accident law is complicated, but finding the right personal injury lawyer is simple.

To start your case today, fill out the brief form below or call 1-800-CALL-SAM for a free, no-obligation remote consultation with a member of our experienced legal team.  

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