I was shopping at the Albertson's on Royal Ave, West Eugene when I noticed the cute drawings for a Halloween Contest. When I took a closer look, I was alarmed to see that it had included the child's name, age and telephone number on the front. I brought this to the attention of the clerk there, who shrugged her shoulders and said, "Oh, well, we tell them to write it on the back."

Anyone could get this information about the child. This is not good!! Has anyone checked to see how many registered sex offenders live around that area?

PARENTS need to make sure that whenever their child is entering a contest, sensitive information such as a telephone number as well as first and last names should be kept confidential by writing it on the back. They also need to know how the information will be displayed at the store.

SUPERMARKETS have the responsibility when they are conducting such contests, to protect their young customers by making sure that sensitive information is not readily available to the general public.

Children aren't able to see possible dangers in giving out too much information. We talk about telling our children to be safe on the internet. Not to post too much personal information, while they are posting it on the windows of the local supermarket. Just like the internet, you don't know who is reading that information.

I'm not saying there should be no drawing contests. The supermarket where I used to live, cut off the personal information, numbered the drawings (corresponding numbers on personal information in office). That way the contest could be conducted, the drawings proudly displayed, children could point it out to family and friends when they were there AND every participated safely.