The countdown is on! Halloween is just days away, and residents all over Polk County are gearing up for the fun. In Winter Haven and Lakeland, trick-or-treating is a big event, and not only are our local neighborhoods packed with kids loading up their bags with candy, but our Downtown businesses often participate in trick-or-treating as well! While the holiday festivities are fun, it’s important to keep safety in mind when you head out, especially if you have little ones in tow.

Keep these tips in mind as you head out on Halloween night:

  1. Have kids carry flashlights! When it comes to safety as a pedestrian, visibility is the top priority. Having kids carry a flashlight is one of the best ways to make sure motorists can see them as they cross streets or walk along a dark sidewalk. For younger kids, a fantastic solution can be found at your local dollar store. Glow sticks are a cheap, easy alternative to flashlights and can be worn instead of carried, so little ones have their hands free for more candy grabbing, and you don’t have to worry about losing flashlights throughout the evening.
  2. Have a high adult-to-child ratio. When your trick-or-treating route will require crossing any major roads, or walking along busy streets, it’s best to have at least one adult hand per young child, OR use a stroller or wagon to keep little ones contained. This makes sure no small ghosts or goblins dart out into traffic or run away unseen.
  3. Check costumes for safety before leaving home. Halloween costumes are fun, but they can pose a risk to children if they aren’t fitted properly. If your child’s costume has a mask, make sure they can clearly see through the provided eye-openings. If they can’t, make adjustments as needed to give them clear vision. If the costume is too long, or has parts that touch the ground, adjust as needed to prevent tripping and falling. Even a seemingly minor fall off of a sidewalk can have big consequences, such as a head injury or falling into traffic. It’s better to prepare ahead of time by adjusting the costume to make sure the evening ends with fun memories instead of a trip to the hospital.
  4. Turn the night into a teaching opportunity. Halloween is a great time to work with your children on understanding the rules of the road as a pedestrian. Be an example and use crosswalks appropriately, follow the traffic signals, etc. Explain your actions to them and have them follow suit. They’ll be learning safety rules without even trying!

Brooks Law Group wishes our friends and neighbors throughout Polk County a happy (and safe) Halloween with their families and friends. If you or someone you know has their Halloween interrupted by an accident caused by the negligence or recklessness of an individual behind the wheel, we’re ready to take on their fight and get the compensation they need and deserve. When holiday fun is taken away because of another’s poor choices, look to Brooks! We represent pedestrians throughout Central Florida who have been injured in collisions of all kinds, and make it our goal to stand up for you when you can’t stand for yourself. Call us for your free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case!

Stephen K. Brooks
Author: Stephen K. Brooks

Steve was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. As was the practice for new doctors his father worked day and night during his medical residency at Charity Hospital there. Steve comes from a long line of doctors. His father, his grandfather, his great grandfather, even two uncles were all specialists and/or surgeons in their chosen medical specialties, including internal medicine specialist, obstetrics / gynecology, neurosurgery and general practice / surgery. His great-great grandfather was the Surgeon General of Ohio during the Civil War.