X-rays Offered for Halloween Treats

Stafford, Va. — Stafford sheriff’s deputies again this year will X-ray your Halloween candy for free.

The department will greet residents who come to the Stafford County Public Safety Center at 1225 Courthouse Road where deputies will be able to detect pins, needles and any other metallic object that could be inside. But if it’s not metallic, including poison, the machine will not detect it.

“We have never detected anything bad in the candy….not saying we don’t see some lousy choices of candy,” said Stafford sheriff’s spokesman Bill Kennedy.

About 15 people normally show up to have their candies screened, and the department has been offering the community service for five years, he added.

While additional law enforcement officers will be on the streets Monday night, officials say parents and children can take extra precautions while out trick-or-treating:

• Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them.
• Have your name and address attached to your costume.
• Wear identification bracelets.
• Use flashlights.
• Walk through your neighborhood with others and do not stray from your group.
• Stay in your own neighborhood and trick-or-treat only at homes that have porch lights on.
• Never take shortcuts through back yards, alleys or parks.
• Never enter a home of a stranger or accept rides from strangers.
• Try to wear costumes made of white or light colored materials. If your costume is dark attach reflector tape on the costume to increase night time visibility.
• Young children should always be accompanied by an adult.
• Look in all directions before crossing a street and obey all traffic signals. Cross streets at the corner.
• Carry trick-or-treat bags that have strong straps or handles. This allows you to carry the bag with one hand leaving the other hand free.