Halloween is one of the best nights of the year for kids. Costumes, candy, and running from house to house with friends. But it’s also one of the busiest nights for pedestrian accidents.
This year, Halloween lands on a Saturday. That means more kids out later, more adult parties, and more people on the road after dark. Here in Broward County, where many neighborhoods have busy roads and few sidewalks, that mix can turn a fun night into a scary one fast.
At The Injury Advocates, we want your family to enjoy the night and get home safe. Here’s what you can do.
Safety tips for parents and trick-or-treaters
- Add light to every costume. Glow sticks, reflective tape, or a small flashlight help drivers see your child. Dark costumes are hard to spot at dusk.
- Pick face paint over masks. Masks can block a child’s side view, so they may not see a car coming.
- Stay on sidewalks. If there are none, walk on the far edge of the road, facing traffic.
- Cross at corners. Teach kids to stop, look both ways, and never dart out between parked cars.
- Go with your kids. Children under 12 should have an adult with them. Older kids should stick to a planned route and check in.
Safety tips for drivers
- Slow down in neighborhoods. Drive well below the speed limit between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
- Expect the unexpected. Kids get excited and forget the rules. Watch for small people stepping off curbs.
- Put the phone away. One glance at a text is long enough to miss a child crossing.
- Plan a sober ride. If you’re heading to a party, pick a sober driver or book a rideshare before you go.
Property owners have a duty too
If you hand out candy, keep your path safe. Turn on porch lights, clear cords and decorations from walkways, and fix loose steps. In Florida, property owners can be held responsible when an unsafe condition they knew about, or should have known about, causes an injury. That includes guests on Halloween.
Keep pets inside or secured, too. Even friendly dogs can get scared by masks and noise.
What to do if your child is hurt
If your child is hit by a car or injured on someone’s property, take these steps:
- Call 911 and get medical care right away, even if the injury looks minor.
- Take photos of the scene, the car, the lighting, and any hazards.
- Get names and numbers of the driver, property owner, and any witnesses.
- Don’t give a recorded statement to the other side’s insurance company before talking to a lawyer.
- Call an injury lawyer. Florida has strict time limits. For most injury cases, you have just 2 years to file a claim.
We’re here if you need us
No parent wants to think about their child getting hurt. But if it happens, you don’t have to handle it alone. The Injury Advocates help families across South Florida deal with insurance companies so they can focus on healing.
Call 754-812-8444 for a free consultation. We’ll listen, answer your questions, and tell you your options.
Have a safe and happy Halloween from all of us at The Injury Advocates.
This post is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
