Our Tricks and Treats for keeping kids with food allergies safe during Halloween

Halloween is just around the corner and kids are getting excited about costumes, trick-or-treating and lots of spooky fun. It can be really scary for allergy families though, when it seems like allergen-laden treats might be lurking around every corner, but there are lots of ways to keep your children safe while they enjoy the season! We’ve put together some great tips to help you get through the tricks and treats without any real scares!

Prepare for Parties & Events
Be sure to remind teachers, schools and organizations planning parties, festivals or events about your child’s allergies well in advance. If possible, try to work with them on selecting treats, games and menus that are suitable for all kids. Most of them should be eager to create a safe environment, but may not have the same knowledge you do.

Decide How to Handle Trick-or-Treat Night (There are lots of possibilities)

• Let your children dress up and hand out safe candy from home.
• Throw a small party! Invite your child’s friends over for costumes, ghost stories and games or help give out candy. They can even give visitors a scare!
• Looking for non-food treats to give out? If there aren’t many options in the Halloween aisle, look at birthday party favors for tons of whistles, mini notepads, balls, bracelets and other small toys.
• For traditional trick-or-treating, remind your child to not touch candy. They should hold out their container so adults can drop treats in.
• Purchase a variety of suitable treats or small prizes to keep on hand. After trick-or-treating, let kids trade in unsafe candy for their favorites.
• Make arrangements in advance with friendly neighbors to drop off a safe treat for your child ahead of time.
• Identify something your child really wants, like a toy or video game. After trick-or-treating, allow them to “purchase” the toy with candy. Or as an alternative, buy their candy from them with cash that they can take to a favorite toy store the next day.
• Shopping malls and nursing homes have become popular places for trick-or-treating. Call and ask if they would like to be an “allergen-safe trick-or-treat destination” for the community. It’s a great way for stores to build community goodwill!
• Don’t forget non-food allergies too. Many costumes and decorations are made of latex, including most soft rubber masks. Environmental allergens like hay, scented candle and even moldy leaves are common asthma and allergy triggers too. So stay alert and keep your child’s rescue medication on hand during all Halloween festivities.

There are lots of things to look out for, but there are plenty of ways to help keep Halloween safe and fun for all kids! We’d love to hear your ideas and plans – head over to our Facebook page to share them with us!

Iris Shamus is a mother to three awesome kids & the founder/CEO of AllerMates. AllerMates was born as a result of her food allergic and asthmatic son, Ben. Iris and/or AllerMates have been featured in many places including Fox News, the Doctors, Veria Living, MSNBC, The Today Show & the Huffington Post with helpful advice on keeping kids safe.  Based in New York, Iris & her team design & ship their products, create informative content & obsess every day about safeguarding kids.