Halloween is the one night of the year when kids are most likely to be hit by a car. The National Safety Council notes that children are more than twice as likely to be killed by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year — and poor visibility in the dark is a big part of why. As a Deerfield insurance agent who has helped local families protect their homes and cars for years, I've watched Halloween become the neighborhood's biggest (and busiest) holiday. With a little planning ahead of time, you can keep your little ghosts and goblins safe without losing any of the fun.
Here are the eight safety habits I recommend for families with young children in Deerfield:
Dress for visibility — add reflective tape and glow sticks to costumes.
Skip masks that block vision — use face paint instead.
Walk the route before dark — know the sidewalks and crosswalks.
Watch the clock — be extra careful between 6 and 7 p.m.
Check every piece of candy — inspect wrappers before kids dig in.
Carve and light pumpkins safely — use battery candles, not flames.
Keep pets and cords out of the way — protect trick-or-treaters at your door.
Drive slow and distraction-free — be alert around corners and driveways.
How I put this checklist together
These tips pull from two trusted safety authorities: State Farm's Halloween safety guide and the National Safety Council's Halloween page. I kept only advice that is realistic for parents of small children — no generic "be careful" filler. Every tip below is something a family can actually act on tonight, from fastening reflective tape to checking extension cords.
1. Dress for visibility with reflective tape and glow sticks
Dark costumes are the biggest hazard on Halloween night. The National Safety Council advises that if children are out after dark, parents should fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags, or give them glow sticks. State Farm offers the same guidance: stick reflective tape onto costumes to make your child more visible, and have them carry a flashlight with fresh batteries.
Pick light-colored or bright costumes where you can, and add tape to the back, sleeves, and candy bag — the spots drivers see first. Reflective tape is cheap, found at any hardware or craft store, and takes minutes to attach.
2. Choose face paint over masks that block vision
A mask may finish the costume, but it can hide a child's face right when they need to see clearly. Both State Farm and the NSC land on the same call: use makeup instead. The NSC recommends you opt for nontoxic Halloween makeup over masks, which can obscure vision, and State Farm suggests you use face paint and leave the mask at home since masks can obstruct vision.
Whatever you choose, make sure costumes and shoes fit properly — ill-fitting outfits are a classic tripping hazard on uneven sidewalks and porch steps. And test any face paint on a small patch of skin first to check for irritation before applying it to a full face.
3. Walk the route before dark and cross at corners
Kids move fast, and drivers on Halloween night are scanning for dozens of small figures. The safest approach is to scout your trick-or-treat route in daylight so you know where the sidewalks, crosswalks, and well-lit homes are. State Farm tells families to stick to neighborhoods with sidewalks, and if you must walk on the street, keep to the far left facing traffic.
Practice safe crossing at every corner: use crosswalks and look both ways before stepping out. Skip shortcuts across yards and driveways where drivers can't see you coming. A quick daytime walk also helps you flag any houses with aggressive dogs or broken steps before the night begins.
4. Watch the clock and stay alert between 6 and 7 p.m.
The scariest hours aren't the ones with the most ghosts — they're the ones with the most traffic. State Farm warns that the hours between 5 and 9 p.m. carry the greatest risk and that the hour between 6 and 7 p.m. is especially dangerous for pedestrian accidents. That window is when daylight fades just as the youngest trick-or-treaters head out.
Keep the group close together during that stretch, hold hands when crossing streets, and skip homes on busy main roads entirely. A few extra minutes of patience during peak hours is the simplest way to cut the risk.
5. Check every piece of candy before kids dig in
Half the excitement is the candy — but the inspection comes first. State Farm points parents to the FDA's guidance: examine candy for any tears in wrapping, holes or discoloration before children eat anything. The NSC adds a hard rule: tell children not to eat any treats until they return home, and watch for food allergies.
Empty the bags on the kitchen table and sort as you check. Toss anything with a torn or resealed wrapper, and skip homemade treats from people you don't know. It's a two-minute job that lets the kids enjoy the haul without worry.
6. Carve and light pumpkins safely with battery candles
A glowing jack-o'-lantern on the porch is classic — a real flame in one is a hazard when a costume with flowing sleeves comes too close. State Farm recommends you avoid open flames and opt for battery-operated candles in jack-o'-lanterns and other areas where costumed kids might stand.
Battery LEDs give the same warm glow with none of the fire risk, and they can't be knocked over onto a dry porch or costume. During carving, let the adults handle the knives and have younger kids scoop the pulp — a small step that keeps little hands away from sharp blades.
7. Keep pets and cords out of the way at your own door
If you're the one handing out candy, your porch needs the same care as your child's costume. State Farm advises homeowners to keep pets kenneled or in another room, away from trick or treaters — a friendly dog can still spook at a costumed crowd, and a stressed animal near young kids is a risk nobody needs. Clear debris, lawn clutter, and steps, and remove or highlight tripping hazards such as electrical cords.
Make sure any extension cords you run outside are rated for outdoor use, and don't overload a single cord. A well-lit entryway with no loose cords means every little visitor can reach the candy safely.
8. Drive slow and distraction-free through trick-or-treat hours
If you're driving on Halloween evening, you're the biggest variable in whether a child gets home safe. The NSC reminds drivers to watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs and to watch for children in dark clothing at twilight. State Farm adds to be alert for children and eliminate in-car distractions, including your cell phone, and pull in and out of driveways carefully.
Kids can appear between parked cars and dash across mid-block — not just at corners. Slow down well before crosswalks, turn your headlights on early, and if a teen is driving, discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween when the streets are at their most unpredictable.
How to choose what matters most for your family
Every family's night is different, but the priorities stay the same. For toddlers and preschoolers, focus on visibility and crossing — the two risks that cause the most severe injuries — by adding reflective tape, holding hands at every corner, and staying out of the busiest hours. For older kids going out in a group, shift your attention to route planning, a set curfew, and the candy check when they walk back through the door. And for every family, make sure your own porch is safe so you're protecting your visitors the same way your neighbors protect yours.
A little prep before the sun goes down turns Halloween from a worry into the neighborhood's best night. If you're a Deerfield family and want to make sure your homeowners or auto coverage fits your fall routine, I'm happy to help you review your policy before the holiday rush.
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