For families managing serious allergies, navigating Halloween can certainly be tricky, but there are ways we can make it safe for children so they can have just as much fun as their friends.
An adult should always supervise very young children with food allergies whilst out Trick or Treating. They should also have first aid training and their medication at hand in case of emergency.
Children naturally want to feel independent with their friends so you can negotiate a safe supervision distance. For example, rather than standing beside them at the door, you might agree to be on hand further down the road.
It’s important for older children and teenagers to build confidence in keeping themselves safe. Halloween is also a great opportunity to hand over just a little of that responsibility so that they can develop those essential life skills – to politely say, ‘no, thank you’ and to not accept everything from adults and peers who don’t know about their allergies.
Ahead of Trick or Treating, set clear ground rules, which should include double checking the ingredients of everything your child is offered and bringing treats home to check they are safe to first, rather than eating them whilst out. Teach your child to always wash their hands before eating any of the treats, not to touch food that isn’t in packaging and to avoid homemade treats where the ingredients are unknown.
It is important to remember that ingredients can change in branded packaged sweets and treats. Fun-size versions can have different recipes as well as similar-looking supermarket own-branded versions. When put under pressure or in excitement, it can be easy for your child to assume that everything will be okay, especially if it is a food they think they have seen or eaten before.
Your child must always carry their epi-pen and emergency contact details in the form of a medical bracelet or a card in a clear wallet on a lanyard around their neck. It’s also important that you know and trust everyone your child is Trick or Treating with and that they all know about their allergies. There are handy specially designed storage bags for you or your child to carry their meds around when out and about from Allerpack.
Carry a torch to help you and your child check food labels in the dark and to ensure you have sufficient light to administer medication in the event of an emergency.
You and/or your child should always carry a phone to call for emergency assistance if needed. Smartphone tracking apps such as Find my Phone and 360 also allow you to track older children and teens who might be trick or treating independently.
Friendly Get-Togethers!
Arranging a get-together with friends who understand your child’s allergies can also be an excellent alternative to Trick or Treating.
A safe Halloween party at home where all the food has been safely prepared and checked can be just as much fun (and warmer!).
Even a fun activity such as baking or other Halloween crafts can be equally as enjoyable.
Halloween activities, such as pumpkin picking is also a nice alternative to going Trick or Treating, as your child is less likely to be exposed to the things they are allergic to. Unless, of course, they have a pumpkin allergy!
Teal Pumpkin Project
The ‘Teal Pumpkin Project’ is a new initiative which has been brought out in the UK to help to raise awareness for food allergies at Halloween.
Households can display a teal-coloured pumpkin on their windows to show that they are food allergy aware and have non-edible choices for trick-or-treaters.
Non-Edible Treats
There are lots of fantastic alternatives to celebrating Halloween that do not involve food. Halloween books, such as lift the flap books for younger children and spooky story books, like Super Friendly Spooky Stories by Jeff Kinney for older children, might be a nice alternative.
Other suggestions include Halloween colouring sheets and pencils, bubbles and bouncy balls.
