Tips for a Safe, Peanut-Free Halloween.

My brother, Dave, and his family struggle with my niece’s peanut allergy year round but it is never more difficult to control than on Halloween when the thought of her going into anaphylactic shock brings another layer of fear to the celebration.

To help alleviate their anxiety Dave and his wife, Rita, stick to some
simple and easy to follow rules.
1.     
Their home is always a peanut-free zone. If my niece can’t eat it, then the food or treat can’t be brought into the home.
2.     
Education is the key to survival. My niece is going to have to live with this allergy for the rest of her life so it’s important that she understands the need to read labels and look for the peanut-free symbol. This is a lot easier now that she is nearly eight and can read.
3.     
Always have a peanut-free substitute on hand. Rita is diligent about providing a peanut-free alternative. She gives the teacher a box of peanut-free cookies, so when a classmate brings in birthday cupcakes, which may or may not be contaminated, my niece does not
feel left out.

These three simple rules are followed on Halloween too. Here in Canada it is an easy to find peanut-free threats, with Nestle, Hersey, Mars, and many more providing safe, clearly marked alternatives.

My niece and nephew are not allowed to eat any candy while trick or treating. That’s a good rule for any child.

All the goodies are brought home where my they divide all the candies to piles, one to keep, one to give to the food bank, and one, where the goodies are suspect, to be thrown in the garbage.

Now most children wouldn’t like to have over half of their Halloween candy taken from them but Dave and Rita have a solution for that too. They purchase extra peanut-free treats and substitute them for the ones that have to be given away, thus ensuring a safe and happy Halloween.

For more information
on Halloween please click on the link below. 

Anaphylaxis Canada Tips for staying safe