Haunted House Hazards: Liability and Safety Concerns for Halloween Attractions

Halloween is the start of a fun holiday season! As your family is getting ready with costumes and decorations, it’s fun to think about the many traditions you will share in the upcoming months and through the end of the year. But regardless of the holiday you are celebrating, it’s always important to keep safety concerns high on your priority list.

Not only is Halloween spooky because of the costumes, but it can also be a scary holiday because of potential injuries that can occur. Whether you are taking young children to go trick-or-treating or have a group of adults going to a haunted house, use caution to avoid personal injury. Keeping these safety concerns in mind can save you a lot of pain and suffering in the coming months.

Safety Concerns in a Haunted House

Adventuring through a haunted house during this time of year is fun. But these attractions also come with challenges. Here are a few potential hazards you might be facing if you go to a haunted house:

• Slips and Falls: The lights are dim, which increases the risk of tripping over something that you might not see on the floor. A variety of issues in a haunted house can increase the risk of a slip and fall injury. Watch out for electrical cords, loose mats and rugs, cluttered walkways, uneven flooring, and wet spots on the floor. A well-managed haunted house will give verbal warnings or post signs so you know what to watch out for.
• Other Visitors: If someone is too scared of the haunted house, they might react unexpectedly. Unfortunately, people can have panic attacks or act aggressively because of the stress of being in a scary environment. Keep your eye on other guests that are in the area. If you or a member of your group is feeling too scared, look for emergency exit options. Haunted house operators should offer a safe place for guests to exit when needed.
• Overcrowded Spaces: Another potential risk happens if too many people are in a small space. As Halloween draws closer, many people want to spend time in haunted houses. There are safety concerns that come up with enormous crowds, especially in an emergency situation.
• Small and Large Hazards: A variety of small and large objects can cause safety concerns in a haunted house. For example, exposed nails on the back of a temporary wall could result in injury. Or, objects can fall from above, which is even more dangerous when visitors below can’t see because of the dark. Haunted houses should avoid these issues by only using lightweight props, not allowing sharp objects, and posting signs if any dangers are present.
• Dark Rooms and Flashing Lights: Dimly lit rooms increase the likelihood of an accidental injury. If you can’t see where you are walking, then there is a higher risk of falling or running into something. Also, flashing lights make it hard to see where you are going, increasing the risk of collisions and falls.

Safety Concerns for Trick-or-Treating

Children of all ages can face many safety concerns when they go door-to-door for treats. The truth is that child pedestrian injuries are the highest on Halloween compared to any other night of the year. With so many children on the sidewalks and streets, the risk of injury increases. Watch out for these safety concerns while trick-or-treating so you can protect your children and your family:

• Unaccompanied Children: Young children should always have adult supervision. It might be tempting to send younger children with older siblings, but it’s easy for teenagers to get distracted. Having an adult with the group increases the likelihood of everyone returning home safely.
• Rules to Follow: Regardless of the age of your children, always have a quick meeting before trick-or-treating to go over family rules. For example, discuss the acceptable routes and neighborhoods or streets they should avoid. Also, agree on a specific time when everyone should be home.
• Lighting Outside: Most of the time, people go trick-or-treating after the sun goes down. Since it’s dark outside, bring your own light sources so you can see the sidewalks and keep track of the group. Flashlights are nice to have. Also, consider putting glowstick necklaces and bracelets on the children so they are easier to see.
• Crossing the Street: Be proactive about only allowing your group to cross the street in established crosswalks. There is a higher risk of an accident when children cross the street mid-block. So, make sure that kids know they should only cross the street at corners.
• Sidewalk Use: Even if there aren’t many cars in the street, it’s best always to use the sidewalks. Not only is walking on the sidewalk safer, but it also puts the group closer to the front doors of each house.

A few small tips can make a big difference to protect your loved ones and avoid injury during this fun holiday celebration. Make sure that you are proactive about enjoying the season without putting your family in harm’s way.

Halloween Injury? Talk to an Attorney for Advice

Even though holiday event and activity planners are often proactive about addressing these common safety concerns, there are times when essential safety practices are overlooked. If you or a loved one is injured because of the negligence of another person, then consider talking to a personal injury attorney to learn more about your options.

These injuries not only cause pain and suffering but can also result in expensive medical bills and make it difficult to work. It’s possible that you might be able to receive compensation to cover these expenses. For more information and to determine if you have a viable personal injury claim, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our experienced team: Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C. Call (504) 522-2304 to learn more about our services.