Samaritan Healthcare to X-ray Halloween candy

Parents get peace of mind about kids' treats

MOSES LAKE — Next week, trick or treaters will have the opportunity to see the insides of their candy.

Samaritan Healthcare will again run candy through its X-ray machine from 5 to 8 p.m. on Halloween, said radiology supervisor Todd Davis said.

"For one, to make sure that the kids don't have anything in their candy," Davis said when asked why the hospital offers the scan. "God forbid anybody put it in the first place, but just to double check and give the parents a little bit of security, and kind of let the public know that we're out there to help them as well."

And the trick or treaters?

"The kids like to see what their candy looks like on the inside," he said.

The hospital has been offering candy X-rays for more than a decade. The levels of participation vary, but it is always available, Davis said. Ten to 20 people typically turn out each year.

"Most of the parents are usually more aware of where their kids are going now, so they're not worried so much, because they'll take them to their little neighborhood or to the safe trick or treat downtown," Davis said of the relatively low turnout. "Plus, we're a smaller community too, so you kind of just about know everybody that's in your area."

The hospital uses a fluoroscopic X-ray machine, which means that radiation does not linger once the power to the machine is off, Davis said, and the candy is safe to eat — one of the questions Davis said radiology staff members often get while they check the treats, as well as "Will my candy melt?"

"This way, we can get a quick glimpse of it and make sure nothing's going on," he said.