X-rays are offered to check candy

Patient First, a walk-in health center with locations in East Norriton and Montgomeryville, is offering free X-ray screenings for Halloween candy.

Families can bring in their goodie bags from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and see a digital X-ray of their sweets.

Ian Slinkman, a spokesman for the health center, said the scan may "pick up metal, plastic, and glass," but that parents should still personally inspect their children's candy.

While stories of razor blades in apples and needles in candy bars mostly turned out to be urban myths, Slinkman said the X-rays could be "good for parents' peace of mind. And it's a fun activity for the kids. They like to see inside the candy."

He said the health center used to do such scans in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but he wasn't aware of technicians ever finding something dangerous lurking in a piece of candy.

Technicians will use digital X-rays and show children the results on a computer screen.

"It's kind of cool. You can see the Milk Duds with the little caramel in there," Slinkman said.

The health center is also distributing flashing reflector lights and tips for safe trick-or-treating leading up to Halloween.

The East Norriton office is at 400 E. Germantown Pike. The Montgomeryville office is at 713 Bethlehem Pike.

The company also has offices in Wyomissing, Pa., and Allentown.

- Jessica Parks