Halloween is playing its own cruel trick this year.
The fiendish day falls on Friday, so tiny ghosts and goblins will mix with high school football fans. And law enforcement officials say that means everyone should take precautions to stay safe.
“Make sure that you are aware of your surroundings,” said Officer Joe Harn, a Garland police spokesman.
The extra care isn’t just important for the young. For the first time, Tarrant County officials plan to conduct a “no refusal” Halloween weekend to catch drunken drivers. It will run from 9:30 p.m. Friday through 5:30 a.m. Sunday.
Drivers pulled over on suspicion of DWI will be required to submit to a blood draw to test their blood alcohol level if they refuse a breath test.
“Don’t allow your Halloween celebration to turn into a real nightmare,” Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney Richard Alpert said in a news release. “Have a designated driver and drink responsibly.”
Most of the Halloween activity will be concentrated between 7 and 9 p.m. Even though Friday ushers in the weekend, Harn says young trick-or-treaters shouldn’t go door knocking past 9 p.m.
Harn offers options for dealing with suspicious-looking candy: Throw it away “or mail it to the Police Department. We will eat it for you,” he joked.
For families that don’t want to take a chance on the streets, many area shopping malls will host Halloween events to help kids fill their buckets quickly and safely.
Fall weather is forecast for Friday, with highs in the upper 60s, lows in the 40s and no chance of rain, National Weather Service meteorologist Amanda Schroeder said.
Staff writer Julie Fancher contributed to this report.
