Candy X-rays are back
Photo courtesy of Connie OpheikensSamaritan Healthcare Radiology Technician Miguel Martinez explains the candy X-ray to Devin Juarez,13, Caleb Juarez, 8 and Peyton Juarez, 2, at last year's event.
MOSES LAKE - Samaritan Healthcare in Moses Lake is once again offering trick-or-treaters to chance to see the insides of their loot.
The hospital is offering a candy X-ray service Friday, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the hospital's lobby.
A staff member from the radiology department is conducting the X-rays, said Community Relations Coordinator Connie Opheikens.
"A good technician will be able to say, 'Look - there's your Oreo,'" Opheikens said.
Some children are reluctant to give their candy to the staff member, she said. Two children refused to have their candy X-rayed in 2007.
The children also ask some entertaining questions.
"They ask, 'well, is it going to melt my candy?'" she said.
Opheikens said last year's turnout was 95 children. Prior to last year, the peak number of children was around 60.
Last year was also the first time in Opheikens' 15 years of involvement with the program anything was found in the candy.
A staple was found inside a chocolate candy with silver foil wrapping.
It is unknown whether the staple's placement in the candy was deliberate or accidental.
Opheikens said she is unsure why the turnout last year was stronger compared with previous years.
She speculated the turnout each year may be related to a parent's familiarity with the trick-or-treating location.
For example, Moses Lake High School's trick-or-treating event lowered the number of people bringing candy to X-ray, and downtown businesses also offer a trick-or-treating event, Opheikens said.
"When parents go to those places, then they know it's safe candy," she said.
Samaritan Healthcare is located at 801 E. Wheeler Road in Moses Lake.