Hospital X-rays candy for trick-or-treaters

Kids' loot ruled safe for consumption

MOSES LAKE — Throughout the evening, a fairy tale princess, football players and Sully from "Monsters Inc." were among those at Samaritan Healthcare anxiously awaiting word.

The diagnosis? Their candy was good enough — and safe enough — to eat.

From 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, the hospital offered trick-or treaters the opportunity to have their treats X-rayed and add to their rapidly filling bags, and a handful of costumed individuals took them up on it.

Radiologic technologist Bruce Garner said that the hospital began offering the X-rays again last year, although it used to offer them several years ago.

"As of last year it's going to be a recurrent theme," radiologic technologist Danielle Kohl said.

"I think (it's) mainly just for community interaction — get people more familiar with the facility and kids maybe realizing that this isn't always a place that you have to come when you're sick," Garner said.

Both Garner and Kohl said that there is absolutely no risk of radiation from looking at the candy.

"The only thing that can be harmed by X-rays is tissue," Garner said. "So candy, inanimate objects, anything — it's basically just energy."

Samaritan Healthcare medical records clerk Linda Rodriguez popped in with her 20-month-old daughter, Envy, who was out trick-or-treating with her family.

"They just brought her in to trick-or-treat here and we figured, we'll just participate in the game," Rodriguez said.

John Adams was another parent who brought in his children, Johnny and Kaylee, aged 8 and 7, to have their candy examined.

"Just for safety," he said succinctly.

Garner said nothing was found last year, and in the two hours Saturday, the only thing that turned up on the X-ray monitor was candy.

"Just a little peace of mind," Garner said. "They know they can go home and eat it and not worry about razor blades or something bad going on."