A MUM has split opinion after sharing how she always goes through her kids’ Halloween sweets from trick or treating to check they are safe.
Kirsty urged other parents to ensure that their sweet hauls don’t contain razor blades or drugs.
On her @kirstyketley TikTok account, she advised: “A top tip for trick or treating, and something I do with my own children, is not to allow them to have any of their sweets until they get back home.
“This is because we like to check our sweets before we eat them, in case they have been tampered with.
“We check all the wrappers to make sure that the sweets are sealed.
“Any sweets that haven’t got a wrap on, they don’t eat.”
Kirsty then elaborated about her concerns.
She shared: “Unfortunately, over the last few years, there have been reports of drugs being found in sweets and also things like razor blades.
“So, it’s really important to check your sweets before you eat them.”
People were quick to comment on the advice, with some thinking it was too extreme.
One said: “What doors you knocking at .”
Another added: “scaremongering.”
However, many supported her, with one person commenting: “I don’t allow mine to trick or treat.
“Can’t trust people now a days and I don’t believe in teaching them it’s ok knocking on strangers doors.”
This follows police in Oxfordshire issuing a harrowing warning in 2021 after numerous unsuspecting youngsters were chillingly handed chocolate bars with razor blades attached to them, wrapped in what appeared to be a £5 note.
The force encouraged locals to inspect their children’s Halloween hauls in case they had also been slipped one of the sharp blades.
The concerning post read: “Parents in the Finstock area please check your child’s Trick or Treat bags.
“Very worrying a number of children have been passed razor blades in their trick or treat bags.
“The razor blades appear to be attached to a chocolate bar that had a £5 note type wrapper on it. Please share and beware.”
Horrified locals shared their concerns after the warning and urged others to “spread the word” throughout the tight-knit community.
One commented: “What sick individual does this. Seriously.”
“Absolutely disgusting! Sick to my stomach!” another added.
Safety advice for parents about Halloween costumes
The ROSPA has advice for parents around Halloween costumes and children’s safety…
- Check that all Halloween and fancy dress costumes you buy carry a UKCA or UKNI mark on the label
- As with all clothing, Halloween and fancy dress outfits should always be kept away from fire, lit candles and all other naked flames
- If lit candles are part of your celebrations always follow their safety guidelines, and remember:
- Always supervise children and pets if using lit candles
- Do not allow children to carry, play, reach over, light or be near lit candles
- Never leave a burning candle unattended
- Remember always to extinguish a candle completely after use
- Take care when using candles at Halloween. Do not carry pumpkins with lit candles inside, consider using battery-operated candles instead
- Children should always be supervised by a suitable adult
- If fireworks are part of your celebrations, follow the Firework Code (see our fireworks safety page for more information)
- Be aware that homemade fancy dress costumes or those not tested to the same flammability standards may ignite easily and burn quicker
- Ensure children can be seen in the dark; ideally they should wear something reflective such as a reflective strip, and carry a torch.
A third local wrote: “I thought this was just an urban myth… What is wrong with people?”
One young mum said she was “deeply concerned” by the shocking incident.
According to the BBC, Thames Valley Police said it had received two reports of blades being discovered in bags given to children in Finstock, near Charlbury, Oxfordshire.
