The 1982 Tylenol murders, right at the beginning of the 80s, added to the idea that there were dangerous strangers out there seeking to harm your children. Even if you've never heard of these murders, you see the effects of these murders every time you go into a store. If you're concerned about safety this Halloween, instead of trick or treating, consider having a party at home.
This year’s fear of rainbow fentanyl in kids’ trick-or-treat bags is just the latest unfounded Halloween candy freakout. But the yearly panic has its roots in a very real crisis: the 1982 Tylenol murders.
This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard with help from Jillian Weinberger, engineered by Efim Shapiro, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.
Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained
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