Boo! According to US Census Bureau data from 2015, more than 41 million children ages 5-14 participate in trick-or-treating . Halloween is loads of fun, but it also has a legitimately scary side to it when revelers don’t take proper safety precautions.
Accidental Fires
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), on Halloween, “from 2014-2018, an average of 770 home structure fires began with decorations per year… More than one-third (36%) of these fires were started by candles.”
To promote fire-safety, use flashlights or glowsticks to illuminate carved pumpkins instead of candles. If you choose to use candles, ensure that they are placed far away from any other decorations or flammable items. They also should be far away from all entries, exits, and paths that trick-or-treaters will be following – not only will this help prevent fires, it can also help prevent trips and falls. If you are a parent of a trick-or-treater, avoid costumes that are loose and flowy to minimize fire hazards in case your child is near a candle.
Pedestrian Accidents
According to a study conducted by State Farm Insurance and reported by CNN, children are twice as likely to die on Halloween as on any other day of the year . To reduce the chance of your child being involved in a pedestrian accident:
- An adult should accompany all small children trick-or-treating to help them cross the streets
- Wear reflective strips on all costumes to increase visibility
- Stay in well-lit areas
The Safety Council suggests the following steps for drivers to help avoid being involved in a pedestrian crash:
Drunk Driving Accidents
Many adults choose to celebrate Halloween by drinking with friends. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, 41% of those who were killed on Halloween night from 2015-2019 were killed in traffic accidents that involved a drunk driver . Moreover, in 2019 alone, 21 vehicle occupants and four pedestrians were killed in crashes with drunk drivers on Halloween . As a driver, it’s simple to avoid being responsible for a drunk driving crash: if you drink, don’t drive. Make sure to arrange for a designated driver, cab, or ride-hailing app to ensure everyone arrives home safely.
The attorneys at Rader Law Group wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween!
Rader Law Group, LLC
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References Used:
US Census Bureau. “Halloween: Oct. 31, 2016” (census.gov). Accessed September 9, 2021.
NFPA. Halloween fire safety tips | NFPA. Accessed September 9, 2021.
CNN. 13 scary Halloween health hazards | CNN. Accessed September 9, 2021.
National Safety Council. Halloween – National Safety Council (nsc.org). Accessed September 9, 2021.
NHTSA “2021 Halloween Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving Fact Sheet and Talking Points”. Fact Sheet available for download on: Halloween | Traffic Safety Marketing. Accessed September 9, 2021.