Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Focus on Halloween Child Safety

Halloween is an exciting time for children of all ages. They get to dress up like their favorite characters and eat all the candy they could ever hope for. But as parents worry about tainted candy and making sure their kids’ costumes look just right, many of them forget to make sure their children are protected against the most dangerous Halloween hazard – vehicles.
On a night where ghosts and goblins reign, vehicles take a backseat in scariness. However, more children are injured in Texas pedestrian accidents on Halloween night than on any other night of the year. In fact, a study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute found that the risk of pedestrian injuries on Halloween night is 4.5 times higher than on any other night of the year. Keep your children safe by following these safety tips:

Costumes

• Make sure costumes do not impede movement or vision.
• Consider face paint instead of a mask. If a mask is worn, make sure the child’s vision is not impaired.
• Hats or scarves should fit well and not be covering the child’s eyes.
• Make sure the child wears shoes that fit well and are not a tripping hazard.
• Be sure the costume is not too long.

Visibility

• Black, although a popular color for Halloween, is not the safest color at night. If your child’s costume is black, consider sewing on reflective tape.
• Have children carry a flashlight to see better as well as make themselves more visible to others.
• Remind children not to cross mid-street. Only cross at corners and use designated crosswalks when they are available.
• Stay in well lit-neighborhoods. Do not travel into dark or dimly lit areas.

Motorists

• Drive slowly. Be on the lookout for children who may be darting between vehicles or crossing mid-street.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleyways with caution.
• Expect the unexpected. Never assume that a child sees your vehicle or will stop before crossing in front of you.

By making sure children travel together in well-lit areas and increase their visibility as much as possible, we can all make trick-or-treating a less scary experience.

If you know a child who has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Texas, you need to contact a Houston injury lawyer for help. Call our office at 877-307-9500 for a free consultation.

Also be sure to order your FREE copy of our leading book on Houston accident questions, What Every Houston Accident Victim Needs to Know.