Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
Halloween was once upon a time a safe holiday; today, the dangers lurk around every corner. Whether you’re a parent whose children will be out and about this Halloween Friday, or a motorist who wants to avoid a potentially tragic accident, we have a few safety tips that we thought you may find useful.
Our unofficial firm mascot, Waldo, wishes everyone a happy and safe Halloween!For Children and Parents
For children who are going door-to-door trick or treating, wear a bright or reflective costume. A dark costume with no reflective tape is hard or even impossible for motorists to see, which puts you at risk of getting hit by a car.
Unless parents are with the children, they should never go to the door of someone they don’t know. Unfortunately, we have dangerous people in our world today, including child predators. Stick to the homes of those neighbors you know and trust, and never go inside someone’s home.
Avoid eating candy or treats until you get home and can take a good look at it. Better yet, parents should take a close look at treats before children eat them.
Stick to roads that are well-lit, and walk on the sidewalk if there is one to avoid being struck by a car. If there is no sidewalk, stay far to the side of the road and walk facing traffic.
Before crossing the street, take off your mask so that you have clear vision. Then look left, right, and left again before crossing.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times. If you get a strange feeling that someone is following you or feel threatened, call police or parents from the nearest gas station, restaurant, or other place where people are present.
Avoid taking shortcuts through a parking lot, alley way, or other dark or isolated area off the beaten path.
For parents not going with older children, set a curfew. You can prevent much worry by telling your older children to be home at a certain time, whether they are trick-or-treating or going to a Halloween party at a friend’s house or the church.
Halloween Safety Tips for Motorists
Drive slowly, and with extreme caution. Children may dart from between cars parked along the side of the road, or run out in front of you suddenly. Be alert!
Expect the unexpected. On Halloween night, you never know where a “ghoul” or bicycle is going to come from, and you cannot predict the direction a young child or even a teenager may take. Drive defensively.
Be particularly careful and aware of children walking on the sides of roadways if no sidewalks are available in the area.
Look in every direction several times when pulling in or backing out of a driveway or alley.
Whatever you do, don’t drink and drive. Alcohol and driving are never a good mix, and the situation becomes even more serious when children, bicycles, and pedestrians are present. Not only could you be arrested for DUI, you could be arrested for DUI causing great bodily injury if you hit someone and left them injured.
Halloween should be a fun time for children as well as adults who enjoy dressing up and going out to a party. Make sure your ghosts and goblins stay safe Friday and take extra precautions, and it will be a fun holiday for everyone involved.