Forget the Tricks, Enjoy the Treats this Halloween. Keep Yourself Safe and Kids Healthy

Courtesy of WellMed and Optum

Fall is here, and with celebrations like Halloween and fun festivities like trick-or-treating, there are many temptations and goodies to be had. Following a few dos and don’ts can help make the celebrations a little safer and healthier for children, parents, and grandparents.

Treats for Special Diets

Food allergies can put a damper on any kid’s fun, especially during Halloween. Parents are reminded to examine the label of all candies to ensure their child’s allergen isn’t present and are cautioned not to allow any home-baked goods or foods that are not commercially wrapped to be eaten. It is important to keep in mind that mini or bite-sized versions of candy might have different ingredients than their full-size versions. To be certain last year’s treats aren’t this year’s trick, impose a “no eating while trick-or-treating” rule until you have time to review all food labels and check for tampering.

Handing out candy to little ghosts and goblins on Halloween is part of the celebrated experience, and there’s a fun and easy way to make it even more inclusive for the one in 13 children who have life-threatening food allergies or intolerances. The “Teal Pumpkin Project,” created by the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) organization, suggests placing a teal-colored pumpkin out front to signal that it contains allergy-friendly candy or foods, as well as non-edible treats like small toys, glow sticks, or stickers.

WellMed | Optum Disclaimer: Some items and foods are choking risks for children and should be avoided, particularly with children under age four or who have certain disabilities. The list includes certain foods (including hard candy, nuts, string cheese, and chewing gum), small toys, and any item small enough to place inside the mouth.

Keeping a watchful eye on your kids while they enjoy their loot is important as food allergies can develop at any stage of life. Every 10 seconds, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room in the U.S., and no parents need that type of scare on Halloween. A child having an allergic reaction may manifest symptoms of putting their hands in their mouth, pulling or scratching at their tongue, slurring their words, or their voice may become hoarse or squeaky.

Other symptoms you may see are hives, abdominal pain, and in very severe cases, low blood pressure and loss of consciousness. If you think your child is having an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical care. Calling 911 may be needed in some cases, particularly when a severe reaction occurs, symptoms begin soon after ingestion, or if symptoms are progressing rapidly.

Tricks on Keeping Them Healthy

The spookiest time of the year is a good marker for the start of flu season as well. Getting a flu vaccine before mischief night can help keep your child happy and healthy past Halloween and into the family holiday season.

It is also a great time to remind your child of other important ways to stay healthy and safe as they travel door to door, speaking to neighbors as they receive treats. Children trick-or-treating on Halloween night should remember to always watch out for cars, use reflective gear, if possible, walk with a large group, walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe, and carry a flashlight.

For parents with children who wear face paint or makeup, it’s important to check out those ingredients as well. Harmful ingredients in face makeup can trigger allergies or cause problems like skin irritation. Some tips to help avoid toxic ingredients and possible skin reactions: avoid makeup with heavy metals like cadmium, mercury, lead, and even arsenic. To avoid infection from makeup, wash your hands before applying and never share makeup with others. A good practice is to test a small amount of makeup a few days before to see if your child will have a reaction, and when in doubt, talk to your child’s pediatrician.

Stay safe, healthy, and happy this Halloween, and be sure to remain healthy throughout the rest of the holiday season.

Resources:

Describing a Reaction – FARE
https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/how-child-might-describe-reaction
What Is a Food Allergy? – FoodAllergy.org
https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/what-food-allergy
Anaphylaxis – FoodAllergy.org
https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/anaphylaxis
Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine | Influenza (Flu) | CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines/keyfacts.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm?web=1&wdLOR=c46FE31BD-1AEB-4DCE-B7C5-4F9FC6A6E6B1
Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines | COVID-19 | CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html
Halloween Health & Safety Tips – HealthyChildren.org
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx?_gl=1*1odpxmt*_ga*MTgyNTcwMzExNS4xNzM5MTk5Mjk5*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*czE3NTY4NDE5NTEkbzUkZzEkdDE3NTY4NDE5NjkkajQyJGwwJGgw
Face Paint and Makeup – American Academy of Pediatrics
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Face-Paints-Makeup-Toxic-Ingredients.aspx?_ga=2.252960073.1177998954.1633473888-1560723231.1633473888&_gl=1*ftsw2p*_ga*MTU2MDcyMzIzMS4xNjMzNDczODg4*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*MTYzMzQ3Mzg4Ny4xLjAuMTYzMzQ3Mzg4OS4w
Face Paints & Makeup: Choose Carefully to Avoid Toxic Ingredients – HealthyChildren.org
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Face-Paints-Makeup-Toxic-Ingredients.aspx?_ga=2.252960073.1177998954.1633473888-1560723231.1633473888&_gl=1*ftsw2p*_ga*MTU2MDcyMzIzMS4xNjMzNDczODg4*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*MTYzMzQ3Mzg4Ny4xLjAuMTYzMzQ3Mzg4OS4w
Food Safety Tips for Parents – FDA
https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/halloween-food-safety-tips-parents
Living with Food Allergies – Caring & Prevention | FARE
https://www.foodallergy.org/living-food-allergy
Feasting With FARE – FoodAllergy.org
https://www.foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/awareness-campaigns/living-teal/feasting-fare
The Choosing Wisely Teal Pumpkin Project – FARE
https://www.foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/awareness-campaigns/teal-pumpkin-project
Ideas for Non-Food Treats – FoodAllergy.org
https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/ideas-non-food-treats