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‘3D printing and then lots of duct tape’: B.C. dad creates electronic candy dispensers for Halloween

Click to play video: 'Ladner man’s trick-or-treating invention keeps Halloween COVID-19 safety top of mind'
Ladner man’s trick-or-treating invention keeps Halloween COVID-19 safety top of mind
WATCH: One Ladner man has come up with a COVID-safe solution to save Halloween, and it goes far beyond your typical candy-chute. Linda Aylesworth reports – Oct 28, 2020

Necessity is the mother of invention, as the old saying goes, and one Ladner, B.C. dad has come up with innovative ways to make trick-or-treating during the COVID-19 pandemic as safe as possible.

Matt Reed has been building DIY creations in his garage that involve PVC pipe, a 3D printer, some duct tape and a little ingenuity.

Click to play video: 'COVID-19 Halloween safety tips from an expert'
COVID-19 Halloween safety tips from an expert

Among his creations is an automated candy dispenser that shoots treats out of the mouth of a dragon. Another dispenser consists of an elephant that shoots candy out of its trunk.

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“They both use the same drive mechanism, which is an auger that pushes the candy out,” Reed said. “So that, 3D printing and then lots of duct tape, a little bit of welding and then I build my own electrical circuits.”

Calling himself the Redneck Engineer, as he is not a certified engineer, Reed has posted videos of his creations on YouTube.

Click to play video: 'BC Centre for Disease Control releases guidelines for safe Halloween'
BC Centre for Disease Control releases guidelines for safe Halloween

Reed said he wants to show people that with a little creativity, people can maintain some normalcy this Halloween by celebrating at a safe distance.

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“You can still do these things and there are smart ways to do it,” he said. “You just have to invest a little bit… into it and you can make it happen.

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Reed has also created an online map of households that are following the BC Centre for Disease Control’s safe trick-or-treating guidelines.

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