Beware Trick or Treaters
Whilst Halloween should be filled with ghostly fun, it can also cause unintended frights. To avoid your Halloween becoming a nightmare, ensure you are careful and mindful of any risks.
This blog highlights the common causes of accidents around Halloween and how you can avoid them as a Pedestrian, Parent and a Home-owner.
Road Traffic Accidents
October 31st sees a higher number of children aged 10 and under involved in Road Traffic Accidents on UK roads than at any point during the four-week period around Halloween.
New analysis of Road Traffic Accident data by Churchill Car Insurance reveals that Road Traffic incidents increase by 75% compared to the rest of the month, with 49 child pedestrians involved in Road Traffic Accidents on Halloween. Nearly twice the average number for the two weeks before and after October 31st.
The analysis also revealed the time of day incidents are most likely to occur. On Halloween, 47% of Road Traffic Accidents involving child pedestrians take place between 6pm and 9pm. On a normal day this would be 18%.
*Head of Car Insurance at Churchill, said: ‘’The dangerous combination of a higher number of children on the roads, poor lighting and the clocks going back three days before Halloween, means that drivers need to be extra vigilant this Halloween. Halloween is an exciting time for both children and parents, so we urge everybody to take extra care while trick-or-treating to avoid any accidents’’.
* https://uk.motor1.com/news/271739/halloween-spike-accidents-involving-children/
We are advising you (parent/or guardian) to be cautious when letting your children go trick-or-treating. This week the Child Brain Injury trust (CBIT) have started their annual autumn campaign – GloWeek. To highlight the importance of road safety and being bright after the clocks go back – Be Seen and Not Hurt!
https://childbraininjurytrust.org.uk/campaigns/gloweek/
We are reminding you to:
- Ensure your child is wearing fluorescent clothing/accessories which will increase visibility on dark streets and alert drivers to nearby pedestrians.
- Remind older children how to cross the road safely and accompany the younger children.
Slip, Trip, Falls
Whether you love or loathe Halloween, you are likely to receive a visit from a mini monster on October 31st.
As a home-owner or a tenant, you are responsible for the safe-keeping of your property. If someone slips, trips or falls due to a hazard on your property, you can be held liable for any injuries sustained. It is important you ensure there isn’t anything dangerous on your property which might cause someone an injury. You should:
- Ensure walkways are clear and your home is well lit
- Highlight any dangers by putting warning signs by cracked or uneven pavements
- Keep your pets indoor – no matter how loveable and well-trained they are.
- Consider fire hazards – use battery operated candles or decorative lights as an alternative.
As personal injury solicitors, if you find yourself or a member of your family involved in an accident, as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact our expert solicitors: 0800 888 6888 or
