By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
When in doubt, throw it out. That's good advice for food year-round, but it's especially important on Halloween. Barton County Public Health Educator Katelyn Sigler said there are simple ways to make sure the treats handed out on Halloween are not a trick.
"Do not eat candy before you sort or check them at home," she said. "Closely examine all candy for signs of tampering, including the appearance or the discoloration, tiny pinholes or tears in wrappers, spoiled or unwrapped items."
Sigler also said throwing out items that are made at home and removing any choking hazards for young trick-or-treaters is a good idea. Drugs like fentanyl and THC have been found in items that look like candy, and that's why parents have to be extra vigilant.
"It's just really important that everything is commercially wrapped; like everything you can recognize and that you've eaten before. The other stuff you can't recognize, just throw it out."
Non-food safety tips include always accompanying young trick-or-treaters, especially after dark. Crossing the street in groups is safer than crossing alone. Using sidewalks and well-lit streets decreases the risk of being struck by a motorist.