Halloween is a massive event, consistently ranking second only to Christmas in terms of consumer spending by U.S. adults. This explosion of spending reflects the wide range of themed celebrations enjoyed by all ages across Northern California—from family-friendly pumpkin patches and trick-or-treating to adult-focused pub crawls and haunted houses. With so many people out enjoying the festivities, safety is paramount.

With that in mind, The Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth has created this essential guide to help everyone have a fun, safe, and accident-free Halloween in 2025.

Trick-or-Treating With the Kids

• DO accompany young children and pre-plan your route. Before heading out, establish a designated meeting spot in case someone gets separated. Reinforce the importance of crossing at street corners and making eye contact with drivers before stepping into the road.
• DON’T allow children, tweens, or teens to trick-or-treat without adult knowledge or supervision, especially in unfamiliar neighborhoods. And remember, never allow a child to eat any candy until it has been visually inspected by an adult back at home.
• DO prioritize visibility and mobility when choosing a costume. Incorporate bright or reflective clothing into the outfit, carry a flashlight or glow stick, and stick to the sidewalks. Consider heading home as soon as it gets dark to minimize the risk of a pedestrian accident.
• DON’T wear costumes that restrict vision, mobility, or breathing. A restricted view or limited movement greatly increases the risk of a trip, fall, or being unnoticed by a driver.

Attending an Adult Celebration

• DON’T get behind the wheel on Halloween after drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Traffic fatalities surge on Halloween night due to impaired driving.
• DO pre-arrange your transportation plan before you head out. Use a rideshare service, a designated driver, or public transit to ensure you get home safely and avoid becoming a tragic statistic.

Visiting a Pumpkin Patch, Orchard, or Corn Maze

• DO keep a watchful eye out for potential trip hazards and unstable stacks of items. Frightened children and distracted adults are both more susceptible to a slip and fall accident or knocking over an awkward display in an unfamiliar, often poorly lit, environment.
• DON’T let kids run off on their own at these busy events. Keeping kids close reduces the chance of injury and minimizes the risk of stranger danger in crowded settings.
• DO practice good hygiene. Wash your hands or use sanitizer before and after touching pumpkins or picking apples. Respiratory droplets are the main concern for the flu, and other viruses including the still active COVID-19 variants, germs can survive on surfaces for long periods of time.
• DON’T participate in activities that are notorious for spreading germs or viruses. It’s best to avoid bobbing for apples or eating out of a collective.

We represent people injured as a result of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. Insurance companies have paid our clients hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation because we uncover the facts. When insurance companies fail to offer full compensation, we are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial. We help with serious injuries that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth, LLP. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of experience specializing in only representing injured people. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 916-714-7672 or visit www.gblegal.com