Halloween Slip and Fall Safety

Most of us look forward to Halloween each year, but many of us may not know that Pennsylvania premises liability law considers trick-or-treaters invited guests. As a result, homeowners have a responsibility to keep visitors and their families as safe as possible. Even those planning to keep their porch light off are not off the hook. Young children may wander onto a homeowner’s property unaware of pending danger.

Before Halloween arrives, check your property for any issues or objects that could cause a child or their parent to slip and fall, resulting in a serious injury. Accident proof your property by checking your land and make plans to repair hazards before Halloween arrives. While inspecting your property, look for the following:

• Loose planks in decks or patios
• Cracks on walkways and other walking paths
• Fallen leaves, which can become slippery when wet
• Broken steps and loose handrails
• Poor lighting on walkways and driveways
• Decorations obstructing walkways
• Toys or other debris in yards

Halloween Premises Liability Law

Premises liability means that if a visitor is injured on someone’s property, the property owner may be liable if there was negligence involved. In other words, for a homeowner to be held responsible for a visitor’s injuries, the accident must have occurred due to some fault of their own. Determining fault can be difficult and the courts will evaluate evidence to determine if any of the following factors were involved:

• The owner caused the hazardous condition
• The owner knew about or should have known about the dangerous condition
• The owner failed to make reasonable repairs to the condition
• The owner failed to warn of the dangerous condition

Homeowners should keep in mind that if they do not have a reasonable amount of time to fix the hazard before Halloween or the cost of repair would be exorbitant, it is their duty to warn visitors of the danger. This can be done in a variety of ways, including caution tape, warning signs, or orange cones to alert visitors of the hazard.

Avoid a Slip and Fall Injury on Halloween

However, accidents happen due to unforeseen circumstances, and families should not rely on homeowners to keep their trick-or-treaters safe. Before sending your child or teenager out the door on Halloween, follow these safety tips to avoid a slip and fall injury:

• Remind kids to walk only on lit pathways, rather than cutting through front or backyards
• Check costumes for appropriate length
• Ask children to remove masks, which can restrict vision when walking from house to house
• Trick-or-treaters should wear shoes with tread to prevent slipping and falling
• Do not allow children or teens to text or make phone calls while walking

For those that are injured on Halloween, it is important to obtain medical attention as soon as possible, and make sure the homeowner knows about the injury. Then consult with an experienced slip and fall lawyer to determine who was responsible for the injury.

Philadelphia Slip and Fall Lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates Advocate for Those Injured in Halloween Slip and Fall Accidents

If you or your child experiences injuries on Halloween, contact a Philadelphia slip and fall lawyer at Nerenberg Law Associates. Our attorneys have experience with every facet of personal injury law and can help. Call us today at 215-569-9100 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, our law practice proudly serves clients throughout Pennsylvania, including the areas of Montgomery County, Delaware County, Bucks County, and Chester County.