Kids always look forward to trick-or-treating on Halloween, but a new study from the Centers for Disease and Prevention may give some parents pause.

The CDC reports children are four times more likely to be hit by cars on October 31 than on any other day of the year -- probably not terribly surprising, given the increase in the number of kids who are out and about on Halloween.

"Children should be out having fun and spending time with family and friends. They should not have to spend Halloween in the ER because of some injury that could have been easily prevented," said Dr. Sandra Schneider, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Many factors are involved with these statistics -- blocked vision from masks, long costumes, lack of flashlights, etc. -- and it's important that both children and parents know how to prepare for the night.

According to reports from the US Census Bureau, approximately 4 million children from ages 5 to 14 will be trick-or-treating at the end of the month.

More From TSM Interactive