Halloween Safety Tips for Louisiana Pedestrians, Drivers, and Homeowners

Halloween on the Northshore is one of the best nights of the year.

Neighborhood streets fill with superheroes, princesses, skeletons, and enough candy to keep local dentists employed for years. Parents pull wagons loaded with future sugar crashes while teenagers roam the streets pretending they are too old to participate while secretly collecting candy anyway.

Unfortunately, Halloween is also one of the busiest nights of the year for pedestrian accidents.

Whether you are trick-or-treating with your children, driving to a party, or handing out candy at home, a little extra attention can go a long way toward keeping everyone safe.

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Pedestrian Safety

For children, excitement and good judgment rarely arrive at the same time.

Kids dart across streets, run between parked vehicles, and become laser-focused on the next house giving out full-sized candy bars.

Meanwhile, drivers are returning home from work, heading to parties, or trying to navigate crowded neighborhoods.

The result can be a dangerous combination.

A few simple precautions can make a big difference:

• Keep young children close and avoid letting them run too far ahead.
• Use sidewalks whenever possible.
• Cross streets at intersections and look carefully before crossing.
• Wear reflective clothing or add reflective tape or glow accessories to costumes.
• Carry flashlights or glow sticks to improve visibility.

Most importantly, never assume a driver sees you.

Motorist Safety

Drivers should assume that children may appear almost anywhere.

That includes darting between parked cars, crossing mid-block, or running into the street without looking.

The best advice for motorists on Halloween is simple:

Slow down.

If possible, avoid unnecessary driving during peak trick-or-treat hours. If you do need to be on the road, drive below the speed limit in neighborhoods and pay particular attention near parked vehicles where children may suddenly emerge.

Backing accidents are also common during Halloween festivities. If you know you will be leaving later in the evening, consider backing into your driveway beforehand so you can pull forward into the street when leaving.

Golf Cart Safety

Golf carts have become part of Halloween tradition in many Louisiana neighborhoods.

Unfortunately, they also create opportunities for injuries.

Passengers frequently stand while the cart is moving, children ride without supervision, and some drivers forget that golf carts can tip over or eject passengers during sudden turns.

A few reminders:

• Do not allow children to operate golf carts.
• Keep speeds low in crowded neighborhoods.
• Make sure passengers remain seated while the cart is moving.
• Park on level ground and set the parking brake when stopping.

If you own a golf cart, it is also worth reviewing your insurance coverage before an accident happens rather than afterward.

Homeowner Safety and Liability

Most homeowners never think about liability while handing out candy.

Still, it is a good idea to walk your property before trick-or-treaters arrive and identify anything that could create a hazard.

Uneven sidewalks, garden hoses, extension cords, decorations blocking walkways, poor lighting, and holes in the yard can all create problems when excited children are running from house to house after dark.

Fortunately, avoiding most problems simply comes down to common sense.

Keep walkways clear, provide adequate lighting, and fix obvious hazards when possible.

Have Fun and Stay Safe

Halloween should be memorable because of costumes and candy—not emergency rooms and insurance claims.

A little patience, a little defensive thinking, and a little extra awareness can help keep Halloween safe and enjoyable for everyone.

From all of us at Flattmann Law, have a fun and safe Halloween.

Have You Been Injured in a Halloween Accident?

If you or a family member has been injured in a pedestrian accident, golf cart accident, or other injury this Halloween season, contact us online or call our Covington office directly at 985-590-6182 to schedule your free consultation today.

We represent clients throughout St. Tammany Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, Washington Parish, and communities across the Northshore including Covington, Mandeville, Slidell, Hammond, and Madisonville.