SCARING THE GROWN-UPS
RE “A touch of evil: A few simple steps to the most disturbing pumpkin on your block’’ (Ideas, Oct. 18): Perhaps in the editorial glee over the news that the Globe had been taken off the auction block, someone made a scary error in judgment.
As if there aren’t enough potentially dangerous moving parts involved in trick-or-treating, with excited children darting through darkened streets wearing masks while hopped up on sugar, the Globe recommends adding kerosene-fueled toilet paper fires, cleavers, and a “serrated blade’’!
“Forget safe’’? I’m no helicopter parent, but I think I’ll hold off on the pyrotechnics this year, and have my kids skip to the next door if I see the homeowner preparing a pumpkin pyre on his porch.
Joe Walsh
Roslindale 
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
