Do children need to adjust their costumes to minimize the risk of being struck by a car on Halloween? Opinions may differ, but one thing is clear. Drivers have a much harder time seeing trick-or-treaters than they do someone playing ball in the summer because of how dark it can be. Parents can take steps to minimize risks. Costume safety and visibility could help you prevent Halloween injuries. If you or a loved one suffers injuries during Halloween festivities, contact a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer from Kwartler Manus.
Strategies for Safe, Visible Costumes
Halloween costumes can be a lot of fun and still be safety-focused. This is a night when fun and creativity are rewarded. Doing so safely can make a huge difference in how the day plays out. Consider these tips to minimize risks.
Make Sure They Can See
One of the most important parts of a costume is visibility. Make sure your child can see well out of the costume to help prevent falls, trips, collisions with objects, or even stepping into the street. They should also be able to breathe easily with no risk of strangulation.
Walk Without Tripping
Encourage your child to wear the costume at home for several days before the big night. Make sure it is not cut so low that it creates a tripping hazard. Are there strings or lines coming off of the costume that increase the risk of falls? Do they have enough room to move their legs to step up and down the stairs safely? Until you watch them do it, you may not know the real risks.
Secure Accessories
A child bending over to pick up a toy that fell off their costume for the tenth time on Halloween night puts them at risk far too often. All accessories should stay secured and not come off while walking or moving. Accessories should not hinder movement either. After all, they need to be able to hold onto a railing to climb steps and carry their bag in the other hand.
Armed with Flashlights
Don't overlook the importance of flashlights. If your child cannot carry one, turn one on and put it in their bag so someone spotting them from a distance can see it. You can also buy glow sticks and other bright items to add to costumes, making your child as visible as possible while they walk.
Flashlights are ideal because they let your child see where they are walking. This minimizes the risk of falling off a curb or tripping on décor in someone's yard. Parents should also carry a flashlight or two and keep them positioned on kids, especially when they head into a dark area.
Reflective Materials Work Well
Reflective materials on costumes don't take away from the look or the experience. What it does is protect your child from being hit by vehicles. The materials reflect enough light in headlights to make it easy for drivers to see the child. That is especially important if you are trick-or-treating through neighborhoods that are both dark and busy with traffic. The reflection helps drivers spot the child before the child reaches the roadway.
The Flexibility Test
Before your child heads out for trick-or-treating, make sure to do a simple test. Make sure they can:
- Walk without tripping even when they have to take big steps up or down.
- Sit without falling over.
- Bend down to pick things up safely without toppling over.
- Turn readily, including being able to see side to side while turning their head.
- Use stairs, including holding onto both their bag and the railing.
Address these concerns now. Make sure that there is no reason for you or your child to feel like they cannot move while out that night. Parents are responsible for ensuring their child is as safe as possible when heading out onto the roadway for trick-or-treating.
What Happens When Someone Else Is Responsible?
There are numerous situations where property owners fail to maintain safety. They may have hazardous materials, displays, improper lighting, or uneven sidewalks present. That could mean the owner is liable for the risks they create for trick-or-treaters.
For example, if your child falls down unsecured steps or a loose railing, the owner may be responsible for medical bills and other losses. However, if their costume causes them to fall, the owner is not responsible for those injuries. Be sure of what happened and how it occurred.
If the property owner's negligence caused the injury, a premises liability attorney can help you seek fair compensation. Under Pennsylvania's statute of limitations, most victims have two years from the date of the injury to pursue a claim for their losses.
Seek Legal Guidance In Challenging Cases
At Kwalter Manus, we help victims get answers. That includes determining who is responsible for their injuries and what their losses are. If you or your trick-or-treater suffers an injury due to the negligence of someone else, reach out to our team for immediate help. Let us investigate and create a claim for you. Our premises liability attorney in Philadelphia is happy to offer you a free consultation. They can help you determine what course of action you can take.
Sources:
- Section 5524.0 - Title 42 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.055.024.000..HTM
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