2008 Woodie Awards
Consider safety first during door-to-door excursions
Simple precautions can help keep trick-or-treaters safe
Kristen Arata
Issue date: 10/28/05 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Why is it Halloween brings out every wacko, creep, crazy, and freak lurking in the neighborhood? Because of these insane people, parents must check their child's candy bag.
Now safety lists have emerged to protect children and give parents peace of mind when sending their children out into the neighborhood. The safety lists surfaced in the 1960s, after rumors of candy laced with drugs gained national attention.
The 60s were a free time, but come on, did drugged-up hippies really want children to have the same warped hallucinations?
Razor blades and broken glass pieces became a new fad in the 1970s. But was all this true? Was some crazed loony spiking the candy? Although these fables have been around a long time, there have been no reported incidents. This does not mean we are safe; the world is full of psychos just waiting to entertain an innocent child with harmful poisons.
A real-life incident, unfortunately, occurred in London in 2003 that caused many parents to frantically search children's candy bags. A 19-year-old man handed out sample-size packets of Tylenol and Motrin to trick-or-treaters. Two young pre-teen boys warned about the offerings and went door-to-door alarming parents.
When giving a child an adult dose of medicine, you're risking their life. Even though the pills were clearly marked, children believe it's candy, and this can be very dangerous. Police believed no pills were consumed, but parents of young children under the age of four were very concerned.
The man not only gave out over-the-counter drug medication, he also handed out easy-to-open cans of dog food. This is sick, disrespectful, rude, and just plain weird. If you don't have candy, turn off your lights; kids are smart enough to know you are not involved with Halloween events.
Wow, should we even send our children out?
Yes, by following the safety lists from the National Crime Prevention Council, McGruff the Crime Dog, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, a parent can prevent careless mistakes.
For safe trick-or-treating here are a few tips: 1. Accompany young children or send a responsible teenager when going door-to-door. 2. Instruct children to trick-or-treat in their own neighborhoods in well-lit streets. 3. Use sidewalks and a flashlight. 4. Know the route their group of friends is taking. 5. Instruct them to visit homes with porch lights on and tell them not to eat their candy until they are home and it has been carefully examined.
When my generation was growing up, this list was something our mom spouted off at us when we left the house. Unfortunately we are not living in the Leave it to Beaver times and we cannot be as trusting. There once was a time when Halloween was fun, exciting, and full of homemade goodies from the neighbors. It's too bad that crazy people had to ruin it for all.
Now safety lists have emerged to protect children and give parents peace of mind when sending their children out into the neighborhood. The safety lists surfaced in the 1960s, after rumors of candy laced with drugs gained national attention.
The 60s were a free time, but come on, did drugged-up hippies really want children to have the same warped hallucinations?
Razor blades and broken glass pieces became a new fad in the 1970s. But was all this true? Was some crazed loony spiking the candy? Although these fables have been around a long time, there have been no reported incidents. This does not mean we are safe; the world is full of psychos just waiting to entertain an innocent child with harmful poisons.
A real-life incident, unfortunately, occurred in London in 2003 that caused many parents to frantically search children's candy bags. A 19-year-old man handed out sample-size packets of Tylenol and Motrin to trick-or-treaters. Two young pre-teen boys warned about the offerings and went door-to-door alarming parents.
When giving a child an adult dose of medicine, you're risking their life. Even though the pills were clearly marked, children believe it's candy, and this can be very dangerous. Police believed no pills were consumed, but parents of young children under the age of four were very concerned.
The man not only gave out over-the-counter drug medication, he also handed out easy-to-open cans of dog food. This is sick, disrespectful, rude, and just plain weird. If you don't have candy, turn off your lights; kids are smart enough to know you are not involved with Halloween events.
Wow, should we even send our children out?
Yes, by following the safety lists from the National Crime Prevention Council, McGruff the Crime Dog, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, a parent can prevent careless mistakes.
For safe trick-or-treating here are a few tips: 1. Accompany young children or send a responsible teenager when going door-to-door. 2. Instruct children to trick-or-treat in their own neighborhoods in well-lit streets. 3. Use sidewalks and a flashlight. 4. Know the route their group of friends is taking. 5. Instruct them to visit homes with porch lights on and tell them not to eat their candy until they are home and it has been carefully examined.
When my generation was growing up, this list was something our mom spouted off at us when we left the house. Unfortunately we are not living in the Leave it to Beaver times and we cannot be as trusting. There once was a time when Halloween was fun, exciting, and full of homemade goodies from the neighbors. It's too bad that crazy people had to ruin it for all.