VOL. XXVIII, NO. 2
OCTOBER 31, 1986
Terrors change Halloween
Jack‑o'-lanterns, ghosts and goblins, black cats and witches have always made Halloween scary. But tingling with anxious excitement over a frightful fantasy and being terrified of actual injury are two different things entirely.
While children are still able to dress up and tell ghost stories, trick-or‑treating has become a dangerous Halloween activity that we most sincerely do not recommend.
Over the years newspapers have been filled with real life Halloween horror stories; accounts of children injured by razor blades placed in candy bars and apples, candy filled with poison or some harmful drug, or children being kidnapped from groups and molested or even killed.
In an attempt to stop these incidents, parents, schools, churches, civic groups and even hospitals have taken strides to eliminate the dangers of trick‑or‑treating without avoiding that special Halloween function altogether. Parents escort their children or accompany a group of children from house to house of only those people they know.
While children are still able to dress up and tell ghost stories, trick-or‑treating has become a dangerous Halloween activity that we most sincerely do not recommend.
Over the years newspapers have been filled with real life Halloween horror stories; accounts of children injured by razor blades placed in candy bars and apples, candy filled with poison or some harmful drug, or children being kidnapped from groups and molested or even killed.
In an attempt to stop these incidents, parents, schools, churches, civic groups and even hospitals have taken strides to eliminate the dangers of trick‑or‑treating without avoiding that special Halloween function altogether. Parents escort their children or accompany a group of children from house to house of only those people they know.
Some cities impose curfews and suggest young children trick‑or-treat before 8: 30 or 9: 00 pm. Schools have traditional parties but now park districts, churches and other civic groups have parties and costume contests as well. These parties allow children to display their costumes and be "treated" without the danger of traveling from house to house.
Local hospitals will gladly x‑ray trick or treat goodies in an effort to locate razor blades or other objects before they harm the children. Libraries and newspapers post articles and attempt to educate parents and children on how to have a safe Halloween.
We promote such positive guidelines and suggest the focus of Halloween be returned to jack-o-lanterns, ghosts and costumes and away from trick or treating.
Local hospitals will gladly x‑ray trick or treat goodies in an effort to locate razor blades or other objects before they harm the children. Libraries and newspapers post articles and attempt to educate parents and children on how to have a safe Halloween.
We promote such positive guidelines and suggest the focus of Halloween be returned to jack-o-lanterns, ghosts and costumes and away from trick or treating.
