Halloween is fun and scary, it’s when the ghosts and goblins come out of hiding, making it one of the spookiest times of the year. It’s alright to be scared by all of this harmless fun, but we should never have to feel scared because our child or a loved one falls victim to a careless or avoidable accident. Whatever your plans are this Saturday evening,  whether you are attending a costume party with a bunch of your friends or taking your children out trick or treating in your neighborhood, we hope you have fun but always remember to make safety your first priority. Every Halloween there are a high number of people in Utica and throughout Central New York that suffer injuries from preventable accidents.

The lawyers at Brindisi, Murad, Brindisi & Pearlman, The People’s Lawyer, want all of the local residents in Central NY and their loved ones to stay safe this Halloween. Being personal injury lawyers, we have used our experience to compile a list of some dangerous Halloween hazards to watch out for and tips to help you avoid them.

Trip and Fall Accidents

The number one cause of emergency room visits in the Utica and Syracuse areas each and every Halloween is trip and fall accidents. Before you walk out your front door to take your children trick or treating, make sure that their costumes fit properly, especially if they are dressed as a superhero since capes tend to get stepped on quite frequently by children when they get excited and run around. Children should also be equipped with a flashlight or a glow stick to help them navigate the way in the dark and allow them to see possible hazards so they can avoid them. If you are a homeowner, you can also prevent trip and fall accidents by marking any tripping hazards clearly if you are not able to fix them in time…it could also keep you safe from a premises liability claim.

Pedestrian Accidents

As trick or treating time approaches and night begins to set in the streets, our sidewalks get packed with excited children. To prevent the risk of an accident, make sure your children know to stay on the sidewalks at all times, to only cross at crosswalks, and to look both ways before crossing the street. Safety experts recommend placing reflective tape on your child’s costume and outfitting them with a glow stick or flashlight to make sure drivers can see them easily.

Eye Injuries

Every Halloween costume comes with props to complete the costume. Make sure you show your child how to play with these accessories safely. A plastic lightsaber might be fake but can still be a dangerous item. Also, avoid the use of decorative contact lenses as the FDA recently revealed that they could be harmful to your eyes.

Burns and Cuts

Some families like to kick off Halloween night by first carving pumpkins. Make sure that your children are only using special carving tools that are safe for little hands to reduce the risk of them getting cut. Also, make sure your child’s costume is flame resistant to keep them safe from being burned as they may come in contact with an open flame by lighting a jack-o-lantern or at someone’s home if they are using candles to decorate.

Drunk Driving

Since Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, there will be many adult Halloween parties going on across Central New York. If you choose to celebrate the holiday at one and decide to have a few drinks, make sure you drink responsibly and travel with a designated driver. If you are a pedestrian this Halloween, make sure to stay on the sidewalks and be aware of any drivers that seem to be swerving.

The personal injury lawyers at Brindisi, Murad, Brindisi & Pearlman wish everyone in Utica, Syracuse and the rest of Central New York a safe and Happy Halloween! If you are injured from a preventable accident this Halloween and you need a lifeline, call The People’s Lawyer, call Brindisi, Murad, Brindisi & Pearlman for a free consultation.

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