When it comes to Halloween, kids will tell you it’s all about the candy. But for kids with allergies, the holiday can often bring more tricks than treats.
"We have to be really careful with what he eats,” said Phillip Parrott.
His son, Harrison has serious food allergies and carries an EpiPen at all times.
“Eggs, things with nuts in them, fish, even some fruits, strawberries, bananas,” Parrott said, listing his son's allergies.
"For most people it's just second nature, you get your candy you open it, and you eat it, where is with him we have to check everything," he said.
Thanks to the Teal Pumpkin Project, more people are looking out for kids like Harrison on Halloween. Several years ago, the campaign was created by Tennessee mom, Becky Basalone as a way to spread awareness for kids with food allergies and make their trick-or-treating just as fun.
It’s simple to join in; get a pumpkin, teal paint and turn that October orange into a color marking and allergy safe zone.
Teal pumpkins tell parents and children you’re dishing out allergy-safe food or prizes instead.
“It's really cool because there are so many times where people just don't seem to understand and they don’t know how it is for someone with food allergies, don’t realize how serious they can be,” said Parrott.
Looking for ideas on what to hand out? Check out this list!
- Glow sticks
- stickers
- pencils
- mini notepads
- Dracula teeth
- bouncy balls
- Spider rings
If you’re a parent looking for an allergy safe zone, check out the Food Allergy Research Education US map!