Have fun, not fear

Susan Taylor admires her Halloween handiwork at her home on Oswald Street, which she decorates every holiday.

Toledo and other area communities are not going to let terrorists spoil Halloween.

Trick-or-treating, parades, parties, and other celebrations will go on as in previous years.

Health officials said the fear some may have this Halloween because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington and the handful of deaths and illnesses from anthrax is irrational. There have been no confirmed cases of anthrax in Ohio or Michigan.

Dr. David Grossman, Toledo-Lucas County health commissioner, said officials are more worried about the usual safety concerns, such as children being careful crossing streets.

Fear of terrorist attacks on Halloween “is literally not worth worrying about,” said Christopher Layne, a Toledo psychologist. Children are more likely to get in a car accident than be a target of terrorists, he said.

Police and fire officials agree. “It's not easy to get a hold of anthrax. You can't get it in your basement,” Toledo fire Chief Mike Bell said. “People have to ask themselves why they would consider themselves a target.”

When people start talking about canceling Halloween activities, he said, “The terrorists win.”

Police, fire, and health authorities contacted offered no special suggestions this Halloween.

Parents and guardians should follow the same basic safety rules they have followed in Halloweens past, such as checking candy when the youngsters come home for sharp objects and torn or open packaging.

Lucas County sheriff's deputies will X-ray and inspect candy at the Family Court Center, 429 North Michigan St., from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

In Perrysburg, children can have their candy checked from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at Municipal Court, 300 Walnut St.

Here are Halloween trick-or-treat times for various area communities:

OHIO

Archbold: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 30.

Bellevue: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 28.

Berkey: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31, followed by a supervised party 7:30-9 p.m. at the village firehouse.

Bowling Green: 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Bryan: 6-7 p.m. Oct. 27.

Clay Center: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Clyde: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Oct. 27.

Defiance: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 25.

Delta: 6-7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Elmore: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31. Parade at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 sponsored by American Legion. Costume judging follows at Woodmore High School.

Fayette: 6-7 p.m. Oct. 26. Parties at 5 p.m. at Village Green on Main Street and at 7 p.m. at the fire station.

Findlay: 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 25. Jaycees parade at 7 p.m. Oct. 30.

Fostoria: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Fremont: 4:30-6 p.m. Oct. 28.

Genoa: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Gibsonburg: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 30.

Helena: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Holland: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Lake Township: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Lima: 4-5:30 p.m. Oct. 27.

Lindsey: 4-5:30 p.m. Oct. 28.

Luckey: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Lyons: 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Marblehead: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Maumee: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

McComb: 6-7 p.m. Oct. 31; parade 7:15 p.m. Oct 31.

Metamora: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31, with 7:30 p.m. Fireman's Auxiliary party at the fire station.

Millbury: 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Monclova Township: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Napoleon: 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 30.

North Baltimore: 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

North Towne Square mall: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Northwood: 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Oak Harbor: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Oregon: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Ottawa Hills: 6-8 p.m., Oct. 31.

Ottawa: 6-7 p.m. Oct. 25.

Pemberville: 6-7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Perrysburg: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Perrysburg Township: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Port Clinton: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Providence Township: 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 31, followed by a party from 7:15-8:30 p.m. at the fire hall, 8149 Main St., Neapolis.

Rocky Ridge: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Rossford: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Sandusky: 5-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Spencer Township: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Springfield Township: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Swanton: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31, followed by refreshments at the fire station, Church and Hallett streets.

Sylvania: 6:-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Sylvania Township: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Tiffin: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 30.

Toledo: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Walbridge: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Washington Township: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Waterville: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Waterville Township: 6-8 p.m. Oct 31.

Wauseon: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 30.

Whitehouse: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Woodville: 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 31, followed by a party at the American Legion at 7 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Ada: 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Adrian: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Bedford Township: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Blissfield: 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Bluffton: 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Erie Township: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Hillsdale: 4-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Hudson: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Ida Township: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Jonesville: 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

LaSalle Township: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Litchfield: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Luna Pier: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Monroe: 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Morenci: 6-7 p.m. Oct. 31,

Reading: 5-6:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Summerfield Township: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Tecumseh: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Whiteford Township: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Communities not listed may report their date and times to The Blade by calling (419) 724-6050 or faxing to (419) 724-6439.