Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers Focus On Halloween Safety

As your family prepares to enjoy Halloween, the attorneys at Galfand Berger would like to remind you to take precautions to prevent injuries and accidents that are common during this time of year. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has compiled the following tips to keep your family safe.

Costumes make children vulnerable and can pose the likelihood of trip and fall accidents. Costume accessories such as swords, witches brooms, magic wands, and knives should be small, soft and bendable. Halloween masks, costumes and shoes should fit properly. It is important that costumes are flame-resistant as candles and luminaries are common Halloween decorations that your children may encounter.

Serious eye injuries can result from wearing decorative contact lenses.

It is always a good idea to do a skin test if using Halloween make-up and remove it before bedtime to avoid skin and eye irritation.

As your children venture out on Halloween evening, the CDC recommends putting reflective tape on costumes and bags to make your trick-or-treaters more visible to drivers. A flashlight will also help drivers be aware of little pedestrians. Remind them to stay on the sidewalks, “look both ways” before crossing the street, and use established crosswalks, if possible.

It is easy for children to get caught up in the excitement of running from house to house to collect treats, so parents need to instruct their children to approach only well-lit houses and never enter a stranger’s home. They should be reminded to avoid unknown vehicles and never accept a ride from a stranger. Trick-or-treating in groups with a trusted adult should alleviate much of this risk; however, in the chance that the group gets separated children should be aware of their surroundings and have a safe way to communicate with the group or their parents.

Adults accompanying children should always examine all treats to check for choking hazards and any signs of tampering. Remind children to eat only factory wrapped treats; they should avoid eating homemade treats by strangers.

Many families enjoy hosting Halloween parties but sometimes overlook the risks associated with entertaining. Homeowners are advised to keep their walkways and stairways free of obstacles that could cause someone to trip and fall. Candle-lit jack o’lanterns and luminaries should be placed on sturdy surfaces, out of reach of children and pets, and never be left unattended. Do not place them on doorsteps, walkways, landings or near curtains.

Whether you are hosting a party or simply expecting trick-or-treaters, remember to keep yards free from lawn ornaments, outdoor furniture and clotheslines, all of which present risk of injury.

Galfand Berger Personal Injury Lawyers in Philadelphia
Wish Families a Safe and Injury Free Halloween!

About Galfand Berger

Galfand Berger LLP provides legal services for clients with all types of personal injury matters, including auto accidents, pedestrian injuries, premises liability for trip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, and products liability for defective and unsafe consumer products, medical devices and pharmaceuticals.  Our law offices are conveniently located in Philadelphia, Reading, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. We serve clients in all of the surrounding Southeast Pennsylvania communities, including the Allentown and Harrisburg regions, as well as all of Southern New Jersey.  For legal representation regarding a personal injury matter, call us today at 1-800-222-USWA (8792) or submit a free online inquiry.