Illinois Injury Law Blog

Halloween night is the most dangerous evening of the year for child pedestrian accidents in Chicago and statewide. Children are not only at risk of being struck by a motorist, but they may also be involved in a trip-and-fall accident that could lead to a variety of injuries.

Illinois child injury lawyers know that parental concerns are magnified on this particular holiday, which is why talking to your children about Halloween dangers is important before they head out to trick-or-treat.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from 1975-1996 and published the results. During that time period, there were a total of 89 child pedestrians between the ages of 5-14 killed on October 31 from 4 to 10 p.m. On average, four children died every year on Halloween during these hours from 1975-1996 compared to an average of one death every other day of the year. It can be surmised that children are four times more likely to be involved in a pedestrian accident on Halloween night than any other day.

AAA Chicago offers these Halloween reminders to motorists:

-Watch for mid-block crossers. Children may want to get to a house across the street rather than wait for an intersection so stay alert for children appearing in odd places.

-Pay special attention to traffic signs or markings in neighborhoods on this particular day of the year.

-Reduce your speed to 5 mph below the posted limit.

-Children dressed in costumes or wearing masks may not see you, so it is important to notice them. Look for bright costumes or reflector tape that makes children more visible.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) in Rosemont, Ill., reports that Halloween is one of the top three holidays for children requiring a trip to the emergency room. In looking at ER reports from 1997 to 2006, finger and hand injuries were the most common types of injuries treated on Halloween visits (17.6 percent). Children between the ages of 10-14 accounted for more than 30 percent of visits needing medical attention on Halloween during this time period. The study indicated that lacerations (33.3 percent) and fractures (20.1 percent) were the most common types of finger and hand injuries.

AAOS offers these injury prevention tips to parents this Halloween:

-Send your children trick-or-treating in comfortable, slip-resistant and exact-sized shoes.

-If a costume doesn’t contain bright features, sew on reflective tape or put a flashlight in their treat bucket to make children more visible.

-Make sure the costume your child chooses is flame-resistant and fits properly. Fall accidents and burn injuries are common on Halloween.

-Instruct children to stay on sidewalks and driveways rather than cut through yards or dark alleys.

-If carving pumpkins is a Halloween tradition, help children to hold a knife and never leave them unsupervised.

-Remind children of the dangers of talking to strangers and instruct them to only go to well-lit houses and homes they are familiar with.

-Children should only trick-or teat with adult supervision. Send a cell phone with your children if they are trick-or-treating in a group with others.

-Remind children to watch for moving cars and use extra caution by walking slowly across the street. Use crosswalks whenever possible.