This year’s Halloween night should be a little less stressful for parents and kids, with the annual holiday falling on a Saturday this year instead of a weekday.

But while you’re stockpiling candy and picking out costumes in preparation for trick-or-treating this year, keep in mind a few tips to ensure your family’s safety.

Rick Grassi, Captain of Patrol with the Tomball Police Department (TPD), said that the department is not anticipating an increase in crime on Halloween night.

“Halloween’s really just another night,” he said. “There hasn’t been any past history that would cause us to think there would be additional crimes.”

Grassi said the department will not be enforcing additional patrol, with the exception of volunteers and a night watch or citizen patrol.

“Normally on Saturdays there’s additional staffing anyways for a weekend night,” he said.

In a press release sent out last week, the TPD suggested several tips for Halloween night safety.

The TPD recommends wearing light-colored clothing that is “short enough to prevent tripping” and using reflective tape or patches in order to increase visibility at night.

Children should be accompanied by adults, and the TPD recommends that even older children should trick-or-treat in groups.

Street safety is important, and the TPD suggests children make sure to watch for traffic and not run into the street or between parked cars, or anywhere where motorists are unable to see them.

Parents are cautioned to examine all of their children’s candy before allowing them to eat it, and throw away any that have broken seals or loose wrappers.

As far as costumes go, the TPD suggests avoiding “hard plastic or wood props” such as daggers and swords. Substituting soft and flexible foam rubber is a safer bet.

TPD also recommends that parents make sure their children remain on a house’s porch when they are trick-or-treating, and do not enter the home.

Parents and children are cautioned to stay away from dark houses, stay in their own neighborhood and only visit homes they are familiar with.

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