Writing and reviewing a risk assessment before undertaking an activity is a great opportunity to take a mental pause in your planning, to really consider the 'What if?' and 'What could possibly go wrong?' aspects. Then, obviously (I'd hope) do something about them!
Sometimes you need to think creatively and try to include the more unlikely - but potentially catastrophic - events. Whether you want to consider those events as 'black swans', or perhaps it's just a sneaky little black mouse quietly nibbling a bigger hole in your 'Swiss cheese' model, there are those times when the unlikely becomes horribly real.
So if you and your family are heading out to celebrate Halloween (or to use its old name: All Hallows Eve) and go 'Trick or Treating' (or to use its old name: 'demanding money with menaces'
), make sure that you consider the conspicuity of your children's costumes. No, that doesn't mean that you have to wear high-vis - although white 'revenge of the Mummy' bandages might help!Instead, think of the mitigations possible: drivers will find it difficult to see all black outfits, so take care when crossing roads or when drivers are parking - particularly as you'll be out in residential areas, where cars are likely to be starting and pulling out of driveways (often reversing) or stopping, and drivers arriving home will be mentally 'switching off'.
Don't expect drivers to see you. Wow - zombies, aliens, vampires *and* the invisible man!
Have a fun evening!
