Today is the day circled in red marker on thousands of little kids’ calendars. Children count the days until Halloween each year.

Our job is not to ruin the day kids have been looking forward to. It is to add to their joy - and immature pranks just don’t cut it.

For years, police have battled arson, burglaries and other crimes on a night we would much rather think of for its ghosts, ghouls and goblins - as well as Power Rangers, Cinderellas and pirates. The joy of Halloween isn’t being stupid, it’s seeing the joy in the eyes of children knocking at the door for candy.

In fact, it should bring joy deep down to know you helped put a smile on a child’s face with a simple Milky Way or Snickers.

And sometimes a smile will be put on your face because of the cute Pokémon or butterfly at your door shouting, “Trick or treat!”

Halloween is a time of fun when people can dress up and eat as much candy as they want. It’s an excuse for people go out and have the fun they’ve been missing while cramming for the latest exam preparing that essay due soon.

But no one should use this day, shielded behind assorted masks, to act as stupid as possible.

So forget the pranks and live a little. Put on a costume, carve a pumpkin and have fun.