Update: Thurs. July 22, 2010. We originally published a story on this site Tues., July 20, 2010. A new article posted on wtop.com reports that “investigators will try to determine if the sticky fingered culprits were aware of the potential risk the gooey mess posed to children with peanut allergies. Simply breathing or touching peanuts can cause a serious reaction.”

In all my years as a reporter, few stories bug me to the core; this is one such story.
Apparently, a resident in a Virginia subdivision reported to her Home Owners Association (HOA) message board today that she found peanut butter smeared all over the neighborhood playground.

“It was easy to see on the swing chains,” according to the resident. The poster added, “It was spread thinly on the monkey bars and the sliding pole. It was definitely intentional.”

The HOA thoroughly cleaned the area, according to the website. There was even a Food and Allergy Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) link provided by a resident on how to clean the area correctly.

It just serves as a reminder about how diligent we need to be – and as sad as it is, this is a 24/7 lifestyle for us. I also hope this case shows non-allergy friends and family just how challenging, difficult and scary it is to raise a brave, independent child with this condition.

I am constantly trying to find that balance between giving Matthew his independence and making sure his environment is safe.

I know my non-allergic friends get so tired of me ranting; while most people only have to worry about their children learning to cross the street safely, playing on a high play structure without falling or eating at a friend’s house for dinner without consuming peanuts, we constantly have to worry about their exposure to fatal allergens.

No matter how diligent we are, a child’s playground is off-limits for any sort of criminal behavior. Hurting defenseless, innocent children in this manner is cowardly and evil.