Halloween is seen as a harmless holiday when children can dress up as anything from firemen to zombie cheerleaders and get loads of candy. This day has been so glorified that this dangerous holiday seems like an innocent celebration. October 31 truly is one of most hazardous days of the year and continues to become even riskier. This outdated celebration has turned into a holiday that children do not want to grow out of and it seems as if no end will ever come to this day.

In 1921, Minnesota became the first state to celebrate Halloween. Although people had observed it for centuries, it had never caught here. One by one, other states began to celebrate Halloween until it had spread nationwide. All Hallows Eve, when young children could get oodles of candy by saying the magic words "Trick or Treat," was a brilliant notion and Halloween became every child's favorite holiday.

Today, we still celebrate Halloween, but it does not seem like the same holiday. The innocent candy collecting of yesteryear has transformed into rough parties and late-night vandalizing. Every year, Halloween becomes more intense, with teenagers partying, drinking, defacing property and doing who knows what else. All Hallows Eve has developed into the perfect night for kidnappers and demented adults to make their moves on children. Not to mention dark streets filled with cars and children that can only add up to one thing: danger. Hundreds are injured each year because drivers cannot see all the children. It does not seem worth it to face so many dangers for a few pieces of candy.

This year an estimated 23,000 children will have their candy scanned at a local hospital before they are allowed to eat it. If parents are worried, why even expose their children to these dangers? In the past five years, four children have died from Halloween candy poisoning, almost one a year. This means that every year a child is sacrificed so that thousands of others can get a sack of candy and have a little fun with their friends. Anyone can go buy a bag of candy at the store and invite a few friends over; no one has to die.

There are many alternatives to the usual Halloween festivities, but this is such a commercialized holiday that everyone thinks it is a great idea. Kids see Halloween as a once-a-year event even though they could have their own Halloween anytime. Children face so many risks - kidnapping, poisoning, car accidents, harassment and death - when they leave their house on October 31.

Who knows when today's toilet-papering and egging might turn into tomorrow's stabbings and shootings. October 31 seems to be the one night children can get away with anything and are allowed to act crazy. There really is no reason to continue celebrating this insane day.

There are many alternatives. Parents could persuade their children to go to organized events at parks, churches, schools or recreation centers. For those who trick-or-treat, a curfew could be more strictly enforced by police. Also, reflectors, parental guidance, candy scanning, tighter fitting costumes and flashlights could help decrease the risks of Halloween. Although Halloween seems harmless, it is not, but there are many things that could be done to change it before it becomes disastrous.