Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips for Texas Residents

At Charles J. Argento, our Houston personal injury lawyer knows that Halloween is an exciting time of year for Texas residents of all ages. However, there are real dangers parents and guardians should consider as they prepare their kids and teens for a fun night out.

Even those without young kids are responsible for remaining vigilant, looking out for trick-or-treaters on the road, and ensuring their properties are safe for visitors.

Here, we discuss essential safety tips to observe during Halloween so everyone makes it home safely.

Children are in Significant Danger on Foot While Trick-or-Treating

According to the National Library of Medicine, Halloween is one of the most dangerous days of the year for child pedestrians. The relative risk of a pedestrian fatality is 43% higher on Halloween compared to other days of the week.

Pedestrians under 18 are three times more likely to be struck and killed by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year. That risk is ten times more likely for children aged four to eight.

Here are a few ways to avoid an accident:

• Always use the sidewalk.
• An adult should ALWAYS chaperone young children while trick-or-treating.
• Costumes should fit well to avoid tripping or contact with flame.
• Make sure your child can see. Masks, wigs, and costumes shouldn’t block their vision.
• Reflective tape, flashlights, or glow sticks make children more visible to drivers.

Parents should take the time to inspect candy for potential dangers, particularly allergens or suspicious homemade treats, once they return from trick-or-treating.

Avoiding Liability for Personal Injuries That Occur on Your Property

Whether hosting a party or inviting trick-or-treaters to your door, homeowners should consider and mitigate any potential dangers on their property to avoid liability for personal injuries.

This may include:

• Removing anything children or guests could trip over, like garden hoses, toys, extension cords, and lawn decorations from the porch and front yard.
• Replacing any broken or burned-out bulbs to ensure adequate lighting.
• Clearing all walkways of debris, including leaves, sticks, or other potential hazards.
• Restraining all pets to avoid escape, bites, or attacks.

If your children are older, parents can track their whereabouts on GPS apps and ensure they understand the risks associated with driving on Halloween. Halloween is also an excellent time to review the dangers of behaviors like distracted driving and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These driving hazards can lead to more than personal injury lawsuits but can change lives. The more your teens know about the dangers of negligently operating their vehicles, the safer they and other families will be.

Contact Our Houston Personal Injury Attorney Today

At Charles J. Argento, our experienced personal injury attorney in Houston, we sincerely hope you never need us. If you do and find yourself facing obstacles associated with pursuing a liable party for your injuries or the loss of your loved one, schedule a free consultation with us by calling (713)-225-5050 or contacting us online so that together, we can pursue justice by holding the negligent person or combination of parties liable for your full financial recovery.