Protecting Your Kids from Getting into a Charlotte Car Accident on Halloween
When you’re a parent of small kids, there is really no end to the worry. And if you’ve recently been injured in a North Carolina auto accident — or if a friend or relative has gotten hurt… or, God forbid, a child — you are probably that much more aware of the potential hazards that lurk even on the quiet suburban streets of Charlotte.
To that end, here are tips to make your spooky night safer and less stressful:
1. Be safe when designing/outfitting costumes.
Yes, it’s cute to see your little girl dressed as a witch in an all black costume and hat. But black and brown costumes are hard to see. To minimize the risk of a scary accident, affix reflective tape to the costume and/or change the color of the costume and/or choose a different costume entirely. You also want to make sure that your child can breathe; that he or she is not subject to any harsh chemicals; and that he or she can move freely without tripping or getting entangled.
2. Monitor the candy consumption.
Halloween may be a dentist’s worst nightmare, but many parents like to let their kids indulge in at least one night of carefree eating. Be careful, however. Some metabolically unhealthy kids can get very sick when they eat too much sugar – particularly liquid sugar. If your child is pre-diabetic or diabetic, you may need to monitor his or her sugar intake closely.
3. It’s okay to be a little bit of a helicopter parent on Halloween.
You might feel somewhat guilty for wanting to monitor your child’s fun wild romp through your neighborhood, particularly if you have an older child or teenager – and particularly if your child wants independence. But there is a way to balance your child’s need for independence with your need to protect him/her. Rather than dictate terms – which may not go over well, especially if you have an older child or teenager – creatively come up with a win-win plan, one that will leaving you feeling informed and secure and your child feeling independent and free. For instance, you may set parameters such as ìmake sure you and your friends stick to the side streets… Or you may ask your child to call you at a designated time. Or, if you are the parent of a teenager who drives, you can set up a ìfree passî rule, whereby your child can call you to get a ride home from wherever, and you are not allowed to ask any questions or punish the child. This way, your teen can feel empowered to resist the urge to get behind the wheel while under the influence or get in a car with a friend who is possibly DUI.
Get in touch with our team at DeMayo Law for immediate assistance with any questions or concerns you may have about your accident case.
