Teal pumpkins helping kids stay safe

Picking out the perfect costume isn’t always the scariest part of Halloween — for kids with allergies, finding treats to eat can be downright tricky. But a special pumpkin might actually help them stay safe on fright night. So, move over orange and black, teal is the color everyone is talking about this Halloween.

A lot people don’t think about how dangerous — even deadly — popular Halloween candy can be for some kids. Milk, eggs, and especially nuts, are all extremely common allergies in children and are often found in so many of the goodies passed out to trick or treaters.

Because food allergies are so common — one out of every 13 kids in America has one — lots of houses give out “safe” treats too, like stickers or crayons or small toys but how do you know which houses are safe for your little ghoul or goblin? THAT’S Where the teal pumpkins come in.

Last year the food allergy research and education organization posted online that people with allergy-free treats should paint a pumpkin teal and put it outside, so other families would know.

The post reached more than two-and-half million people in less than three days — and many parents are sharing it again now to remind trick or treating families.

Cross-contamination can always happen though, so parents should be sure to check candy labels — and even, carry an epipen if their child needs one.

If you can’t get your hands on a can of teal spray paint, the food allergy research and education organization also has a flyer on their website that you can print out and post on your door to let parents know you’ve got allergy-free goodies for the trick or treaters.

Website:http://blog.foodallergy.org/2014/10/06/the-teal-pumpkin-project-for-an-allergy-friendly-halloween/