SCHILLER PARK, IL – If there’s one holiday that alarms the parents of allergic kids, it’s Halloween. What will their children get in their loot bag while out showing off their costumes to the neighbors? Will they eat the wrong thing before they get home?
Enjoy Life Foods and AllergyMoms.com have released a number of tips for a safer Halloween. We’ve added to the list at BeAllergyWise, to give you a great selection of “tricks” for your Halloween festivities!
1. Every parent of an allergic child should make sure that their child knows this one simple rule: No eating of any Halloween candy while still trick-or-treating! Halloween goodies should be eaten at home after Mom and Dad have carefully sorted everything.
2. If you don’t have allergic kids yourself, but know that your neighbors do, ask the parents on your street what kinds of goodies are safe ones. Your neighbors will love you.
3. Keep a separate bowl of allergy-safe treats or non-food goodies. Enjoy Life has created a number of tasty food items that avoid the most common food allergens. Fake tatoos, stickers and other dollar store items can also make a fun Halloween give-away.
4. You open your door and there’s little Suzie or John, and you know for sure that this child has an allergy. Simply grab your alternative treats and let them pick one of these! If possible, don’t single out children for unwanted attention.
5. Always buy items that have a full list of ingredients. Even parents of non-allergic children will appreciate knowing what their children are eating.
6. If possible, let the children pick their treat. You may not be aware of an allergy, but the child may know what goodie is okay to eat.
7. Pay attention to the child at your door! If a child says “No, thank you” to a treat, it’s likely due to an allergy. That’s when your bowl of alternative treats will come in handy.
8. Peanut allergy is not the only allergy. Food allergies of all kinds are on the rise. So, whatever you buy, ensure there is a list of ingredients on each individual item, and consider a selection of non-food treats.
9. Consider the needs of any young guests in your home. If you are having an in-home Halloween party, keep treats out of reach so that children must ask in order to get one.
If you are heading out to buy allergy-friendly treats, do consider Enjoy Life. It’s a brand I’ve recommended here, and it’s a great option for those trick-or-treaters who can’t have certain foods. You can also look for the “Peanut Free” logo that will help you to avoid this potentially deadly allergen.
Source: eMediaWire and BeAllergyWise
