ausEE Inc.

Halloween has been gaining more and more momentum in Australia each year. This year is set to be very different with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic so please check your state/territory for updates on this.

If you live in a neighbourhood that does trick-or-treat and you are participating this year, here are some tips to help make Halloween fun and inclusive for everyone.

• Raise awareness for food allergies and promote inclusion for all trick-or-treaters by offering non-food treats at your house and ask your neighbours to also. To be a safe house for those with allergies simply offer up non-food treats such as stickers, tattoos or other small items. Download the Non-Food Treats Here sign from My Food Allergy Friends or Halloween food-allergy friendly posters from Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia to display on your front door and mailbox.  
• Check out Trick or Treat Me website, people can register their home as one that participates in Halloween and you can search for participating homes. They have 'decoration destinations' and the ‘teal pumpkin’ option where people can register that they are an ‘allergy friendly’ house providing non-food treat options to be inclusive for kids with allergies. The creator of Trick or Treat Me has a child with EoE so this is something they are passionate about.
  
• Pre-position safe candy at friends' houses.
• Carry safe snacks with you while trick-or-treating.
• Trade unsafe candy (or the entire bag) for allergen-safe treats, money or non-food items once your children return home. Other non-food ideas include colouring books, pencils, stickers, stuffed animals and small party favours.
• Check all ingredients. Remember that treat-sized candy may have different ingredients or be manufactured on different machinery than their full-sized counterparts.
• Be sure to carry your child's emergency medicines with you while trick-or-treating.
• Ensure your child understands they can't eat anything (or even touch) without checking with you first.
• Plan an alternative activity, such as going to the movies or a having a scavenger hunt for safe treats.
• Bake your own safe treats for Halloween like creepy looking foods! You can do some amazing things with fruit - search the internet for countless inspiration! 
• Some schools and pre-schools may plan Halloween parties or discos. If this is the case, ask your child's teacher if you can bring in safe treats for the class or ask if non-food treats be offered instead.
  
• Look for allergy friendly candy and treat options in store (always read ingredients carefully) and at online stores like Happy Tummies and Candy Queens.
• Check out our Australian Allergy Friendly Finds Facebook page for ideas too!   

Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia - Halloween Help Sheet

FARE - Teal Pumpkin Project

Kids with Food Allergies - Halloween with Food Allergies

My Food Allergy Friends - Thai's Fun Page

Allergic Living - Allergy-Safe Halloween Treating

Brit & Co - 26 Healthy Halloween Snacks

Switch Witch

Trick or Treat Me

Signs available from: Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia