Since it’s Halloween I wondered if the razor blades, needles and poison in candy stories and warnings were true. So I fired up my browser and headed off on the internet. What I found was a bit SPOOOOOKY!

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This is another incident that the parents were right. There HAVE been several cases of children dying or getting sick after trick or treating. But most of these were either unrelated illnesses with the remainder being directed towards them. This means the randomly poisoned candy bar really has never happened. HOWEVER incidents of foreign objects such as needles, and other sharp things being randomly distributed in candy during Halloween has happened. While they haven’t caused instant painful death they have required medical attention.

Don’t make the kids paranoid and ruin Halloween by having them worry about someone trying to harm them as you look through their candy. Make it like you’re trying to find all the ‘Good Stuff’ and then do the infamous candy exchange. Many hospitals provide free X-rays for candy. Look for ripped wrappers, unwrapped candies and the like.

In addition to scanning the candy a few more safety tips:

• Flashlights and reflective tape are ESSENTIAL when out at night. While most people slow down a child in a black costume running across the street can be hit by even the slowest of cars.
• Try to know the house. If you don’t know the person try and make sure you go to the door. Not only is this a good way protect your kids and to keep an eye on your kids behaviour. It lets you quickly and easily meet your neighbors.
• Be POLITE… there are some kids who are VERY small and they can get pushed aside and hurt by excited older ones.
• Dress in good shoes and warm enough.
• Take extra bags. Don’t try and fill up one bag. Keep a couple extra in your pocket and fill them when your kids bag is half full.
• Don’t go on an empty stomach and drink water.
• Plan your route making sure there are places for potty breaks.
• Take a cellphone.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!