If you are like 64% of Americans, you will be celebrating Halloween this weekend. Halloween is considered by many to be a fun holiday, with an opportunity to dress up in a crazy / creative / unique costume and eat a lot of sugar! Indeed, Halloween is known by many, certainly children, for its trick or treating. And for good reason — we are projected to spend $2.1 billion on Halloween candy in the U.S. this year alone!

With 41 million potential trick or treaters between the ages of 4 and 15 expected to be out on the streets this Halloween, it is important for parents to keep a few safety tips in mind to ensure a safe holiday. While a day of fun for many, Halloween poses plenty of real dangers that lead to real injuries and real cases. Claims can range from pedestrian accidents to dog bites and premises liability. By following these tips, you can help to ensure that you and your family and friends stay safe this Halloween while out and about in Woodland Hills.

Tips for a safe Halloween

1. Carry a flashlight when outside. The purpose of this is two-fold: first you can warm motorists and drivers that you are on the road. Second, you can illuminate your walking path so that if there are defects in the sidewalk or debris in the roadway, it will not be a tripping hazard.

2. Put reflective tape on your kid’s costumes if they are not easily seen at night. You want to make sure your children are as visible as possible when out trick or treating. Accidents often happen when drivers cannot see children.

3. Make sure you child can walk in his or her costume. This might mean you need to trim the bottom in order to ensure your child is not tripping or potentially falling into traffic.

4. Do not let you child go out trick or treating alone. Make sure your kids are in a group and escorted by a parent or guardian.

5. Remind children to never go into a stranger’s house or car. This is an important reminder — even if the stranger has candy!

6. Keep an eye out for aggressive or crazed looking dogs. With all the people, noises, and activity on Halloween, some dogs can get wired up. In order to avoid a dog bite, steer clear of any dog that looks like it may pose a threat.

7. Inspect any candy before you let your kids eat it.

Team BPG wishes wish everyone a fun, safe, and happy Halloween! If you do sustain personal injuries on Halloween in a car accident, pedestrian accident, premises liability claim, or products liability claim, and need a personal injury lawyer, contact our experienced Woodland Hills accident attorneys to see if we can help.