Halloween Makes For A Fun Holiday
In Florida we enjoy scary Halloween costumes, and our temperate climate allows us to not have to think about cold weather as we plan for one of the most fun evenings of the year. Although we don’t have to wear turtlenecks below our costumes, we do need to keep other things in mind. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than 3500 Halloween-related injuries were reported in 2011.
Things to keep in mind
Goblins and ghosts are not the scariest part of the holiday. An accident that puts you in the hospital can ruin a celebration. To prevent accidents, remember the following tips:
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Cut with care: Pumpkin carving caused the most Halloween-related accidents in the CDC survey.
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Flowing costumes: Make sure your children can walk easily in any costume, and that if they are wearing a long dress or cape they are aware of candles, which can catch a costume and burn. To prevent a fire, make sure handmade costumes are flame-resistant. In the U.S. costumes are required to be non-flammable.
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Visibility: If you are sending your kids out in dark costumes, make sure they each have a flashlight. It is also a good idea to have reflective tape on their costumes so that drivers can see them. Make sure children go in groups if they are old enough to trick or treat without an adult, and that at least one child has a cell phone with a GPS map app in case they get lost.
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Halloween safety at home: Exchange your candles with real flames for battery-operated LED flames. They don’t overheat and cannot burn a child’s costume if they come in contact with a jack-o-lantern.
When things go bump in the night
If you or a family member has been injured through a defective costume or due to a home’s unsafe premises, we can discuss your options. You may have grounds for financial compensation to cover medical or other expenses. Something that seems like an accident could actually be due to a manufacturer’s — or a homeowner’s — negligence. Speak with our team at Jacksonville’s Gillett Law, P.A. to learn more. With a free consultation you have no reason to be afraid to call.
