Halloween is next week and you are probably making those last-minute adjustments to your costumes and decorations in anticipation of trick-or-treaters and the activities and events this spooky season brings.
It’s also important to ensure the safety of your family while celebrating, like making sure you are visible to cars when it’s dark outside, not eating homemade treats or candy with torn wrappers and following general food safety rules for any perishable foods at a Halloween event.
Traditionally, orange and black are the colors most people associate with Halloween. Orange pumpkins light the way for trick-or-treating children who spend the evening collecting their favorite candies.
But for the 1 in 13 children living with food allergies, and the many others impacted by intolerances and other conditions, that tempting candy presents a danger that’s difficult for young ones to avoid on their own.
The Teal Pumpkin Project is a simple way to make trick-or-treating more safe and inclusive for children. Placing a teal pumpkin on your doorstep signals that, in addition to candy, you offer non-food trinkets and treats that are safe for all those ghosts, goblins and other scary creatures knocking on your door.
You don’t have to break the budget to make your home safe for children with food allergies.
Small items like these can be found in many places, including drug stores, dollar stores or even big-box stores in the dollar section:
- Glow stick, bracelets and necklaces.
- Pencils, crayons and markers.
- Bubbles.
- Halloween-themed erasers or pencil toppers.
- Slinkies.
- Bouncy balls.
- Finger puppets.
- Novelty toys.
- Playing cards.
- Fun bookmarks.
- Stickers.
- Stencils.
- Whistles, kazoos and noisemakers.
Just place a teal pumpkin at your doorstep as a signal that your house supports kids with food allergies.:
- Add your house to the Teal Pumpkin Project Map so more trick-or-treaters can find you.
- Post a sign near your door or driveway.
- Share flyers with family, friends and neighbors.
The Teal Pumpkin Project has even more ideas, free resources and tips to help families have a safe and fun time.
Remember, if you do plan on handing out candy that is not food allergy friendly, be sure to keep the small toys in one bowl and the candy in a separate bowl. This will help prevent any cross-contact and keep trick-or-treaters safe. Happy Halloween!
Marlene Hernandez’s public health career began in 2006 with the Arizona Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), serving as a high-risk dietitian at local WIC offices in the Phoenix area. She has been with the Arizona Department of Health Services for 12 years, supporting the WIC program in various capacities. She is currently serving as chief of the Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity and as Arizona WIC director.
