Though Halloween is a joyous holiday, to those old and alike, there are many dangers and concerns that parents, children, and anyone should be aware of. Though this day has a deep, historical meaning, some individuals make it their goal to ruin the fun and give it a bad reputation. Some children have even been prohibited by parents from participating in Trick-or-Treating due to the concerns this holiday pertains to.
Within the past decade, specifically in 2016, some rebellious teenagers or immature adults have made it their goal to ruin the joys of skipping around and retrieving candy. They made it their job to strike fear in wearing spooky costumes and having fun. Mid-October of 2016, there had been a scary amount of clown sightings, and even attacks. These had been spotted in almost every single state in the US, and even some were discovered all the way in Canada. Though this is when the sightings really spiked, this had been a sick and twisted “trend” since 2013.
Though, contrary to popular belief, it’s not as bad as lots of people make it out to be. Everyone assumes that these clowns are out for blood, and if you encounter one, you're done for. While yes, some people have taken the trend way too far, it’s really just a silly prank people play to amuse themselves.
Moving on from creepy jesters, another halloween terror that has circled the globe is drugged candy, and sweet treats with a side of metal blades shoved inside. Though people weren’t really talking about it until the late 20th century, this rumor was first dated all the way back in 1959. A dentist, William Shyne, was found guilty for giving out candy-coated laxative pills. Ever since then, trick-or-treaters and their guardians have been awfully paranoid about the fact that there may be unknown substances in their candy.
While, yes, it’s important to take caution and always look out for your safety, these “drug” theories have been debunked multiple times. No one would buy extremely hardcore and expensive drugs just to pass them out to random people. There have also been cases of people finding razor blades or other sharp objects in their treats. While, yes, this has been true, it’s not as likely to happen as you’re thinking.
No matter how often or how little dangerous things are found in your Halloween candy, it’s always a good idea to check and make sure nothing has been tampered with. It’s also a good idea to be careful when it comes to any homemade sweets. If you’re sc
ared that things may have been messed with, here are some things to ask:
Is the wrapper fully on?
Are there any holes in the wrapper?
Does the candy have any discoloration?
Is there anything out-of-the-ordinary inside?
If the answers to these are “no,” eat your candy without a worry. Put on your costumes, enjoy your treats, and embrace the Halloween spirit without dwelling on your safety.