Your child is likely anticipating being able to trick-or-treat this upcoming Halloween. As a parent, you must do your part to ensure that your child is safe when entering other’s properties. And as a homeowner, you must ensure that your property is free from any potential hazards that can harm the children. Read on to discover the important safety tips you should follow this Halloween and how a seasoned Broward County slip and fall lawyer at The Finizio Law Group can offer additional advice.
What are important safety tips to follow this Halloween?
As a homeowner, you always hold the responsibility of maintaining your property. But this is especially the case on Halloween when you are expecting children to enter your property to trick-or-treat.
For one, you should ensure that your property has adequate lighting. So, if you have burned-out bulbs in your exterior lights, replace them. And if your front yard, walkways, or stairs are particularly dim, install additional exterior lights.
Secondly, you should ensure that your front yard, walkways, and stairs are clear of any clutter that may lead to a slip and fall accident. So, if you have Halloween decorations, have them securely placed or otherwise a safe distance away from your walkways. And if you have jack-o-lanterns, use a battery-powered source or light sticks. Evidently, candles can be a fire hazard.
Then, you should ensure that your pets remain inside your home, particularly in a kennel. This is because pets can be easily spooked on Halloween, and thus may be more prone to running into traffic or biting a trick-or-treater.
And finally, if you anticipate that you will not be home to greet and monitor trick-or-treaters on your property, turn off your exterior and interior lights to discourage children from approaching.
What are important steps to follow if my child gets injured this Halloween?
In the unfortunate event that your child suffers a slip and fall injury this Halloween, you may be able to seek justice against the negligent homeowner via a personal injury claim. When bringing your case forward, you must also supply a sufficient amount of evidence. Such evidence includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- A copy of the police report conducted at the scene.
- Photos and videos of your child’s injuries, damages, and hazards on the scene.
- The contact information of the homeowner.
- The contact information of any present witnesses.
- Copies of relevant medical bills.
- Copies of relevant medical documentation that state the origins and severity of your child’s injuries.
If you need assistance with tying your child’s injuries to a homeowner’s negligence, you must employ a competent Broward County personal injury attorney today. Importantly, do so before the statute of limitations, which is generally four years from the date of your child’s accident.