9 Tips to Help Your Child Avoid Injuries on Halloween

Haunted houses, spooky costumes, a bag stuffed with candy – these are just a few of the reasons why kids look forward to Halloween with unrivaled anticipation. However, this holiday comes with inherent dangers, and if your children are trick-or-treating, they should understand the risks and know how to avoid hazardous situations.

On the last night of October, millions of American children take to the streets to hunt for candy from their neighbors. But as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns, many adults celebrate the holiday with a few drinks, and some choose to drive after consuming too much alcohol.

Impaired driving, increased pedestrians – the combination is a recipe for disaster. This is why the U.S. Department of Transportation suggests that drivers practice these three safety techniques on Halloween night:

• Reduce your speed in residential areas;
• Be cautious when entering and exiting driveways and alleys; and
• Eliminate distractions – put your cell phone on silent and stay alert.

If you or your child sustains an injury on Halloween, contact a Van Zandt personal-injury lawyer from the Cooper Law Firm. N. Eric Cooper is an accident attorney who can help you claim compensation for medical bills and other damages.

Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit the USAttorneys website to learn more about car accident injury claims in Texas.

9 Steps Parents Can Take to Keep Their Children Safe on Halloween

Kids who go trick-or-treating are excited and distracted – which means they are unpredictable. Children should understand the dangers of being on the road on Halloween, and parents should take steps to reduce their kids’ risk of getting in an accident.

These nine tips will help your children avoid injuries while trick-or-treating:

1. Recruit an adult to supervise children under the age of 12;
2. Plan and discuss the route your trick-or-treaters will follow;
3. Make sure your children understand the importance of sticking to familiar neighborhoods and established routes;
4. Show your children how to approach well-lit house doors, and stay away from driveways and garage entrances;
5. Agree on a time when they need to be home – and make sure you know where they are at all times;
6. Tell your children not to use their cell phones or listen to music while trick-or-treating;
7. Instruct your kids not to eat candy until they get home and you have had a chance to inspect it;
8. Review all basic pedestrian and traffic-safety rules; and
9. Make sure their costumes are fitted with reflective materials.

Unfortunately, even the safest pedestrians can fall victim to drunk, distracted and negligent drivers. If your child suffers an injury on Halloween, turn to the Cooper Law Firm.

As your personal-injury lawyer in Van Zandt, N. Eric Cooper will help you pursue justice and compensation from the at-fault driver. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation.