“Now this is a real problem: Halloween is the #1 day of the year for pedestrian accidents among children, averaging 5.5 deaths per year in the US (that’s double the average for a typical day.)”
Poisoned candy – not a worry!
There have been 5 deaths in the USA reported from poisoned Halloween candy. But: three were committed by family members (one using cyanide-laced Pixy Stix), one was by a child who ingested heroin (the family sprinkled more heroin on the candy afterwards to make it look like that was the source, but it turned out that the child had found and eaten his uncle’s stash) and one turned out to be related to an overwhelming strep infection—unrelated to the candy eaten the night before.
In 2000, several children in California found Snickers bars packed with marijuana. Funny story: a postal worker found a box of Snickers among the undeliverable mail, and brought them home to give to trick-or-treaters. It’s assumed that someone packed them with marijuana to sneak them through the US mail, but got the address wrong. There’s a lesson there. Anyway, no one ever found the culprit, and no one was hurt.
This article originally appeared in Professor Roy Benaroch’s blog, The Pediatric Insider.
Metal objects in candy – not a worry!
There have been about 80 reported cases of needles and razor blades and things in Halloween candy. But almost all of these were hoaxes that never actually happened. A few were true stories, but the objects were placed by family members (good old Uncle Bob, what a kidder.)
In 2000 there was a case in Minneapolis of a guy arrested after sticking needles into Snickers bars (What’s with the Snickers, anyway?) One teenager got stuck by a needle, but didn’t need medical attention. As far as I can find, this is the only documented case of a sicko randomly and deliberately handing out dangerously adulterated candy.
Some communities have had programs for x-raying candy—but I think these have been phased out. They’re expensive and unnecessary, and no one has ever spotted anything of concern on one of these.
Sexual assaults – not a worry!
It’s been studied. Child sex crimes don’t increase on Halloween.
Getting your eye knocked out by a thrown egg – this is a thing, apparently
This report wasn’t about Halloween, but it did include several people with apparently severe eye injuries caused by assault by thrown raw eggs. So don’t do that. Raw eggs are for throwing at houses, not people. Wait, forget I even said that. Just leave the raw eggs at home. Make cookies or something.
Car accidents – the only serious possibility on this list
Now this is a real problem. Halloween is the #1 day of the year for pedestrian accidents among children, averaging 5.5 deaths per year in the US (that’s double the average for a typical day.) Be careful with your kids, and have them wear something light or (better yet) lit. Remind them to cross streets at crosswalks and corners, and not just dart around. If you’re driving, be very careful in residential neighborhoods, and don’t drink alcohol. Both drivers and pedestrians shouldn’t be messing with their phones. Pay attention, everybody.
Getting your brains sucked out by Alien Zombie Vampire Death Beings – rare?
As far as we know, this doesn’t happen. Much. Hardly ever. Really.
Tummy aches and weird nightmares from too much candy – yup, it happens
Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
More from Wikipedia, Snopes, Mental Floss, and Vince Guaraldi. Stay safe, have a good time, and remember: I like Almond Joys and Reese’s.
