Avoid These Common Trick-or-Treating Injuries on Halloween

You can’t control how a neighbor decorates for Halloween, whether they keep their pets inside or how they maintain their property. However, there are precautions you and your children can take to stay safe when trick-or-treating:

Slip, trip, and fall accidents. The best way to avoid slip, trip, and fall accidents is to escort your children when trick-or-treating. However, that’s not always possible. For children walking alone, encourage them to walk on lit pathways rather than run through your neighbors’ yards. Since people generally trick-or-treat during evening hours, visibility can be difficult. Carrying a flashlight and avoiding obstructive face masks could help prevent injuries. Again, your child’s costume could increase their risk for injury. Avoiding long costumes could prevent your child from accidentally tripping.

Dog bites. Though pet owners should keep their dogs inside during Halloween, it does not always happen. If you come across a dog in your neighbor’s yard, walk to the door with your child or avoid the house altogether. Strange sounds and unfamiliar people could incite fear and excitement in even the friendliest dogs.

What Can I Do If My Child Is Injured on Halloween?

If your neighbor partakes in Halloween festivities by handing out candy to neighborhood children, they are inviting these children onto their property. In doing so, they also have a legal obligation under premises liability laws to reasonably protect them from injuries. If your child is injured on a neighbor’s property on Halloween, they could be liable for the damages incurred.

However, laws surrounding premises liability are not so simple. You have to prove the property owner’s negligence. After seeking medical attention, you should contact an experienced premises liability lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options. Contact Braid Pezzaglia at the Law Offices of Braid Pezzaglia today for a free consultation.