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Tainted candy: myth or fact?

October 30, 2015 by Ken Levinson Leave a Comment

Harrowing tales abound on Halloween. You’ve heard the stories: needles, razor blades and little pieces of glass hidden inside candy treats. It’s the nightmare parents have been dreading since, well, the beginning of the holiday, even if most consider it to be an urban legend. But the instances that have made their way to the mainstream have scared enough parents into believing that anything’s possible, and so the stories persist.

Broadly speaking, the stories began back when mom-and-pop shops started transforming from wholesome, intimate storefronts to industrial giants. The birth of assembly-line production allowed manufacturers to churn out mass quantities of goodies to the public, thanks to the help of their employees. And as more than one “stranger” started handling the goods, the speculation that at least one nefarious employee reveled in putting sharp objects into chocolate bars went wild, however strange it sounded.

Whether urban myth or not, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t, at the very least, heard about shady candy practices. Sensationalized? Maybe. But that’s not stopping people from being overly cautious. Chicago Parent had a great throwback of safety tips from 1985, one of which touched on candy safety. And wouldn’t you know it, someone’s cousin stumbled upon a razor blade stuffed inside a candy bar 30 years ago. So whether you subscribe to the idea that tainted candy is a real danger or not, the fact remains: bad people continue to do bad things. There’s no downside to doing a quick check on your kids’ bounty.

It got us thinking about a few specific candies to watch for, and we’ve put together a quick list of the prime candidates based on several factors: size, content and disguise. Our list is also based on previously documented stories and findings online. We also have two professional dads in our midst who have seen their share of candy-coated delights, so science-based or not, you know you’re getting the advice of two sound experts in the field of kid candy mayhem.

Snickers

Snickers are big. Snickers are dense. Snickers are long. Snickers are prime candidates for tricks instead of treats. The chocolate coated, caramel and peanut-based treat encompasses just about every red flag when it comes to hiding something. It’s easy to pack a little in a lot: pennies, razors, nails and broken shards of glass. Or it’s easy to simply hide something sinister like a pin needle in a dense center without drawing much attention. The Lakewood neighborhood in Denver reported several needles being found inside Snickers Bars last Halloween, prompting the city to issue a warning.

Inspect for frayed edges, already opened packaging and small holes that look suspicious. Your best bet is to break the bar in half and do a quick scan of the contents. And when in doubt, throw it out.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Reese’s are big. Reese’s are dense… You get where we’re going. Peanut butter cups have almost the same characteristics of a Snickers bar only the danger lies closer to the surface. Your child is more likely to take a bigger chomp out of a Reese’s cup, which may induce them to swallow the razor rather than biting it. And the thinner the razor, the harder they are to find.

In 2011, a father in New Mexico discovered a razor blade in his son’s Reese’s cup, slid sideways into the buttery portion with an edge protruding on the side. Thanks to dutiful inspection, John Martinez was able to spare his son the consequences of a traumatic outcome.

Rock Candy

The Contra Costa Times published a disturbing story about an 8-year-old girl who happened to stumble upon 0.1 grams of crystal meth in her candy bag. And for those of you who don’t know anything about meth (with the exception of having watched a few Breaking Bad episodes) would be surprised to learn that the crystalized drug looks identical to the crystals of rock candy that has proven to be popular among kids. In fact, diehard Breaking Bad fans have reproduced rock candy to look like the meth on the show. So that should give you a good idea of how easy it is to disguise this particular trick.

The likelihood of stumbling upon crystal meth is pretty low. Even so, it’s happened. This trick is difficult to test in any form, so if there’s any hint of skepticism, chuck in the garbage.

Lollipops and Gummy Bears

Believe it or not, Lolli’s and Gummy’s are even more “disguisable” than you think. Last year, the Denver Police put out a Public Service Announcement on its Facebook page, warning parents of marijuana-laced treats that looked nearly identical to the real thing. Translucence is a big key to figuring out the difference, but it’s minute. As recommended by a few experts, it’s best to allow your kids to trick-or-treat with a small container and then dumping the contents into a bigger bag that parents can control. That will prevent kids from eating random pieces of candy before you’ve had a chance for inspection. As is often the case, parents can see things that a child can’t, so make sure at least one adult has had a chance to look things over. One more thing: Never accept fruit or anything that isn’t wrapped. And again, when in doubt, throw it out.

Have a safe Halloween, everyone.

Four things you should accomplish after an accident

October 26, 2015 by Ken Levinson Leave a Comment

It’s hard to think about the legal implications of an auto accident in the aftermath of a crash. The reaction, whether it’s the crash victim or a family member, is to focus on his/her injuries versus a protracted legal battle. I recently returned from teaching at the AAJ Trucking College in Dallas, where about 100 lawyers came together to discuss their cases and gain insight into legal know-hows. It reminded me of a few points that crash victims should be thinking about in the event of an accident, things that could prove to be difference makers once your lawyer starts negotiating a settlement or starts preparing for a trial.

What you know is that you’ve been hurt. What you don’t know is that insurance companies have taken steps to protect their interests almost immediately.

We’ve put together an informal checklist to make you aware of legal protections and to help you avoid the pitfalls of the shady business practices of insurance companies at the expense of someone’s inexperience. Contrary to what they tell you, insurance companies are looking to pay as little as possible, no matter how much they like to pretend. Of the dozens of crash cases we see each year, the bottom line is money: one side is looking for fair compensation (injured clients) while the other is looking to save themselves from paying more than they have to (insurance companies). That’s a different discussion entirely, but in the meantime keep these things in mind if you ever find yourself in an auto accident.

Contact a lawyer immediately

You’d be surprised to learn that some people wait until it’s too late. Our team fields calls each day from crash victims who take insurance companies at face value. Clients tell us how, in the beginning, insurers claim that ensuing compensation will be fair and equitable. Whether that turns out to be true is not necessarily the case. If you think about it from the perspective of an insurance claims representative, their goal is simple: save money, however possible. If that means pulling the wool over your eyes, then so be it. Our job is to make sure that doesn’t happen. You’ll save yourself a world of angst just by taking the time to contact the appropriate people with the appropriate resources.

By contacting a lawyer immediately, you’ve done three things: You’ve a) contacted someone who will protect your interests from the beginning of the process, b) you’ve contacted someone who knows the ins and outs of legal necessities (in the case of a truck crash, for example, gaining access to a black box, video surveillance, driving logs, etc. before they somehow “disappear”) and c) you’ve contacted someone who’s familiar with what fair compensation is and how to assess your injuries and the damage you’ve sustained. In short, lawyers are your vessel for full protection when your immediate concerns should be about your health.

Gather all relevant details of your crash

This might seem self-explanatory, and it may seem like it’s a job for someone else, namely the responding officer. It’s not necessarily enough. What’s worse, it’s likely not the first thing that’s on your mind after a crash. Still, witnesses are one of the most important factors in any injury case for obvious reasons. Did your accident take place at a nearby school or in front of a supermarket? Did it happen in your neighborhood or in a populated region? Did someone take pictures?

These are the details that can prove effective during settlement negotiations or a trial, even something as simple as noting the time of day, taking note of a cell phone log, or even the type of shirt the driver was wearing (was it a novelty shirt that, however jokingly, referenced fast driving?). All the ammunition you can muster will only help to serve your interests. Recounting them by putting it on paper will keep you ahead of the game.

Think of a family member/friend that might be willing to help

An auto accident can be a traumatizing experience. One of the things that many people find helpful is asking a friend and/or family member to act on their behalf. The scope of which you decided to allow your friend or family member to be involved is up to you, but the purpose is to take undue stress off your shoulders. If that means organizing a schedule of events, keeping up to speed with updates or acting as liaison to your lawyer, then all the better. The point is to make sure your interests are protected from the start and throughout the process of litigation.

Get to the “human level”

Trust is the most important part of any relationship. That goes for your lawyer, too. You need to feel safe. You need to feel comfortable. That’s part of our job, but you can’t take things for granted. There are questions you want to ask: “Have you handled a case like this before?” for example. “Are you licensed to practice in Illinois?” Sound bizarre? You’d be surprised just how many people are willing to take on a case without the proper licensure. To use an old adage: no question is a bad question. The more comfortable you feel, the better the opportunity for a seamless process and peace of mind. Build together, grow together, win together.

Traffic deaths in cars? U.S. is No. 1

October 20, 2015 by Ken Levinson Leave a Comment

The World Health Organization released numbers on Monday morning as part of its “Global Status Report on Road Safety 2015,” prompting the Wall Street Journal to promote a headline on social media titled “11 Deadliest Places to Drive.” I came across the article as I was scrolling through my news feed and noticed that the United States ranks sixth on WSJ’s Deadliest list with more than 34,000 traffic deaths per year, trailing densely populated countries like China and India. Also tucked in the report: The U.S. ranks first in the percentage of traffic deaths in cars. More on that in a sec.

You can click here for a comprehensive look at the WHO report, but here are some highlights in the meantime:

105 countries have good seat-belt laws that apply to all occupants;
47 countries have good speed laws defining a national urban maximum speed limit of 50 Km/h and empowering local authorities to further reduce speed limits;
34 countries have a good drink–driving law with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of less than or equal to 0.05 g/dl as well as lower limits of less than or equal to 0.02 g/dl for young and novice drivers;
44 countries have helmet laws that apply to all drivers, passengers, roads and engine types; require the helmet to be fastened and refer to a particular helmet standard;
53 countries have a child restraint law for occupants of vehicles based on age, height or weight, and apply an age or height restriction on children sitting in the front seat.

The stats seemingly provide positive news given how many cars/drivers there are on the road. In fact, this year’s total traffic-related deaths (1.25 million around the world) are slightly down from last year’s total.

The bad news, however, is that the numbers are still way too high, and the U.S. is No. 1 when it comes to the percentage of traffic deaths in cars at 64 percent; meaning 64 percent of most traffic deaths took place in cars, as opposed to a pedestrian who may have been struck by a vehicle while walking. That’s higher than Russia, Iran, Brazil and China, the next five respective leaders, one of which has a gross population that’s more than triple the number of people living in the U.S.

Screen Shot 2015-10-19 at 3.15.07 PM — Source: World Health Organization

What does the WHO report mean as it relates to drivers in the U.S.? On the surface, it could mean that many of us are simply bad drivers. More likely, it means that driving laws in the U.S.—whether it involves seat belt enforcement, hours-of-service laws, or speed limit restrictions—need to be re-evaluated. The WHO noted in its report that countries that have the most success reducing the number of road traffic deaths have done so through legislation and an emphasis on enforcement.

If you’re like us, that means taking a closer look at lax trucking legislation that could spell problems down the road. Earlier this month, Jay wrote about semi-trucks getting heavier by the ton, and we’ve been keeping watch on a law that may eventually allow 18-year-olds to get behind the wheel of a 40-ton tractor-trailer. Insurance policies are capped at a level that often proves meager for truck crash victims, forcing many of them to battle it out in court for an equitable sum. Here in Illinois, for example, the state increased the maximum speed limit at the beginning of the 2015 for trucks in certain rural parts of the state—from 55mph to 60mph. The question safety advocates were asking: was it really necessary?

The bottom line with regard to all of this is that, yet again, the driving laws in the U.S. need to be looked at with a more critical eye. As mentioned, traffic-related deaths have decreased in comparison to years past: that’s a shred of progress, but it’s still happening too slow. It’s time to start moving a little faster.

Embracing the cliché during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 5, 2015 by Matt de la Peña Leave a Comment

Around 2004, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember the day she told the family. She’d just come home from the hospital and the look on her face was grim. She didn’t hold back, telling my younger brother and me that the outlook was not good. Though that particular memory stays with me, my most vivid memories during that time aren’t so grim.

My mom—a former dancer for American Ballet Theatre, a teacher and a tireless advocate for young dancers everywhere—was one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known. She was also one of the toughest people I’ve ever known. She battled through radiation treatments, chemotherapy and countless surgeries only to come back stronger and more determined than before. And through it all, she maintained a sense of humor that could sometimes make us forget that she was struggling through chemo at all.

Cancer survivors, and family members of those who have battled cancer, often share similar stories of perseverance and strength. To the outsider who’s never experienced it before, those stories may seem like a big cliché. But as someone who’s seen those things happen firsthand, the cliché is what we treasure the most. Cliché is somehow the thing that spared us from a world turned upside down. And for me, the cliché was doing things like having long talks, dressing up and going to the ballet, or bringing flowers to my mom’s office (not for any special occasion, but because she deserved them). We shared laughs at our favorite Neapolitan pizza joint, where I still visit, though the pizza is never quite as good. And we took time to talk about the future, once I graduated college and such.

In some ways, that’s the blessing of cancer, if there is such a thing. In the few years before she passed, I think I spent more meaningful time understanding her life, her emotions and just how much she loved our family, even though I already knew it. Those are things I remember now, almost ten years later. And it reminds me to take advantage of life as it comes, because, well, you just never know. (Yet another cliché, but it’s true.)

I wish she were still around. I still get the itch to call her cell phone (which I did once, only to find that a baritone-voiced gentleman had been assigned her phone number) and I still have moments when I want to ask her for advice, questions that I can’t really ask anyone else. I miss her most when I share special occasions with my dad, my brother and my better half. She would have enjoyed those occasions.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as we honor and celebrate the strength of those who continue to persevere through difficult circumstances, I can’t help but think that I could be doing more. We all could. This month, I hope you’ll consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society or any number of cancer-research focused organizations, as I will. There are thousands, if not millions, of people who deserve our love, support and all the good clichés we can spare, from now until the end of time (and yes, I’m aware that’s cliché).

What does it mean when you see a teal-colored pumpkin on Halloween?

October 1, 2015 by Jay Stefani Leave a Comment

Food Allergy Research & Education is back with the Teal Pumpkin Project

October 31 is just around the corner, which means our family is on the verge of decorating our home with creepy crawlers, spooky witches and teal-colored pumpkins. If you’re stumped by the teal-colored pumpkin part, allow me to introduce you to one of the coolest campaigns this side of the full moon.

Every Halloween season, hundreds of thousands of people band together in an act of solidarity, and, more importantly, to promote safety. Launched by Food Allergy Research & Education in 2014, the Teal Pumpkin Project asks households to make a simple pledge:

I pledge to show some extra kindness to the kids I know. I’ll get some non-food treats at the store, like glow sticks, bracelets, stickers and more! I will put my teal pumpkin on proud display, on my porch, in a window, or on a bale of hay. My teal pumpkin means I support children with food allergies, because all kids deserve to have a safe, happy Halloween.

Boiled down to it, the Teal Pumpkin Project is a great way to show solidarity for kids with allergies. To reiterate: Participants paint and place teal-colored pumpkins at the front of their doorsteps, indicating that non-food treats are available for those who meander by. Over 100,000 households have already taken the pledge and many more have promoted the campaign since its launch a year ago. As a parent whose child has allergies, it’s nice to see it pick up steam.

As I’ve talked about before, my six-year-old daughter suffers from a nut and dairy allergy. That inevitably makes for an interesting Halloween season in our household. Peanut-based treats, chocolate-covered peanuts and candy that’s been produced in plants that contain even a hint of peanut or tree nut-based products practically overflow on October 31, meaning our annual trick-or-treating adventures are even scarier than most. Of the many days in a calendar year, Halloween is the one day when temptation runs rampant. It’s a day when kids, presumably, feel they can test the limits, especially when their allergy-free friends are devouring Reeses Peanut Butter Cup after Reeses Peanut Butter Cup at a rapid-fire rate.

At least one out of every 13 children suffers from a food allergy, and the tiniest amount of allergen can mean the difference between a fun-filled night of spooky splendor, or one that’s truly terrifying. And let’s face it: Halloween is one of those holidays that can make anyone with an allergy feel like an outsider.

The importance of things like the Teal Pumpkin Project can’t be overstated. I’ve taken part in my share of Halloween adventures over the years, and the biggest issue is less to do with the actual candy than the morale of my kiddo. Making her feel included is a delicate balancing act; we don’t want her eating dangerous food, but we also don’t want her neglected when a friend gets to indulge in chocolate treats and delectable candy.

In line with the Teal Pumpkin Project, there are several ways to make all your trick-or-treaters feel like they’re getting the full experience. Here’s what the folks at FARE recommend: Glow bracelets, pumpkin stencils, cool trick-or-treat bags, Halloween stickers, non-latex bouncy balls and black and orange friendship bracelets.

Here are some other things to take note of:

Keep your bags separated. One for the candy crew and one for the non-candy crew, and make sure they’re separated with enough distance so one doesn’t contaminate the other.
Though many kids won’t say much more than “trick-or-treat,” it’s worth prodding them for a bit extra. Ask if they’re allergic to anything or give them a choice between a non-food item and a food item.
Diligent parents will keep an EpiPen with them. Scary as it sounds, you never know when you’ll have to administer one, even with a parent hanging out nearby. Nationwide Children’s Hospital put together a great video on the proper protocols. It’s a great intro/refresher on what to do in case of an emergency, especially if you’re a Teal Pumpkin participant.
Buy candy with clear labels and listings of ingredients. You’re thinking this is completely counter-intuitive. And yes, it is, but there are those who won’t be so willing to admit they have an allergy. Should the little devils sneak a piece, their parents should have an easy way to see what the ingredients are as they filter through their bags. This gets a little more complicated when “fun-size” packaging omits ingredient and allergy information from the individual items, instead placing it only on the main bag or box.
Be on the lookout for allergy bracelets. I talked about this in a previous post. They’re visible red flag and they’re important. If something unexpected happens, you can quickly identify the allergy and the proper protocol, assuming the parents have dashed off in another direction (maybe there’s another little goblin in their crew running around).
Consider keeping safe treats at home for an exchange program. Each year, after we finish our trick-or-treat journey, we sit down at the dining room table and go through our daughter’s bag with her, looking for potentially unsafe items. For each one we find, we let her swap it for a safe item. It’s become a fun way to avoid her feeling like we’re just taking her candy.

So you may be wondering, “Why teal?” Teal happens to be the color of food allergy awareness and has been used to raise awareness for more than 20 years. Hope you’ll consider painting at least one of your pumpkins teal this Halloween. You’ll be making it much more inclusive for my daughter and for thousands of others.

To learn more about the Teal Pumpkin Project, click here. The Teal Pumpkin Project and the Teal Pumpkin Image are trademarks of Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE).

Illinois is giving repeat DUI offenders a fifth chance. Seriously.

September 30, 2015 by Ken Levinson Leave a Comment

Has the governor and state assembly gone too far?

Our great state is not one for second chances. It’s actually more like five.

News started trickling out last week that Governor Bruce Rauner and the Illinois General Assembly have moved forward with a measure that would give drivers convicted of multiple DUIs an opportunity to redeem themselves. Starting in January of 2015, repeat offenders that have racked up four DUIs will be eligible to receive a restricted driving permit, only after proving that they’ve been alcohol and drug-free for at least three years. As of now, four DUIs means the state revokes your license.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that state representatives feel the new law is, in part, as much a deterrent as it is an incentive to keep people with bad records from making poor decisions. As noble as it may sound, the sentiment rings hallow in more ways than one.

I dare to guesstimate that there are thousands of people whose lives have been affected by drunk driving accidents. Using phrases like “second chance” and “turn their lives around” (language used by state reps) as public appeals for support is borderline offensive, especially when “second chance” in this case is much more than two. Surprisingly, the measure has earned the support of organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) and Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists. I can’t presume to know the ins and outs of those conversations, but part of me has to believe that M.A.D.D. and A.A.I.M. want to promote the same “second chance” ideals as the state. But the process by which it came together doesn’t seem to account for the folks who have lost much more than a license.

For my money, repeat-offenders deserve little, if any, sympathy when it comes to drunk driving convictions, arrests or citations. Do first-time offenders deserve a second chance? Absolutely. After that, it’s not so much a mistake as it is a pattern; justifying that kind of behavior is hard to do, yet it seems Illinois is willing to give lots of people the benefit of the doubt. That’s hard when the statistics are so unfavorable.

The Sun-Times noted that more than 5,000 people in Illinois have been convicted of at least four DUIs. Illinois state police made 5,784 DUI arrests in 2014; Chicago police logged at least 3,321. Of the more than 34,000 DUI-related arrests made in 2013, 317 people were killed because of a drunk-driving-related accident. To the families who continue to live through the impact of poor decisions, this new law can’t help but feel backwards by giving four-time offenders another opportunity to get back on the road, even if their citation never led to an accident. It’s four chances too many.

What’s worse is that the precedent for future legislation has been established. What’s to stop the governor from making it six DUIs in 2017 if he and the assembly are willing to stretch it to five in 2016? Let’s hope we can keep our “second chances” in the state to a minimum moving forward.