Halloween Safety and the Teal Pumpkin Project

8 kids staring down at the camera making faces and wearing various costumes

OCTOBER 31, 2023: A group of children pose in costumes before trick or treating on Halloween

(Photo by Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images)

Halloween is just a couple of days away. On my podcast, JFK Spotlight on Health, I spoke with Melanie Cardona, Nurse Manager at the Pediatric Emergency Department. We talked about how to keep our children safe during the Halloween holiday.

I invite you to listen to the podcast, but I also wanted to share some of the information we discussed.

Look and Feel Safe

Wear flame-resistant costumes, and if you make your costume, use flame-resistant fabrics such as polyester or nylon.
Wear bright, reflective costumes or add strips of reflective tape so you’ll be more visible; make sure the costumes aren’t so long that you’re in danger of tripping.
Wear makeup and hats rather than costume masks that can obscure your vision.
Test the makeup you plan to use in advance. Put a small amount on the arm of the person who will be wearing it. If a rash, redness, swelling, or other signs of irritation develop where the makeup was applied, that's a sign of a possible allergy.
Vibrantly colored makeup is popular at Halloween. Check the FDA’s list of color additives to see if the colors are FDA-approved. If they aren’t approved for their intended use, don’t use them. This is especially important for colored makeup around the eyes.
Don’t wear decorative or colored contact lenses that appear to change how your eyes look due to the risk of eye injury unless you have seen an eye care professional for a proper fitting and have been given instructions for how to use the lenses.
To ensure the hair coloring process is safe and minimizes the risk of allergic reactions?
I recommend using temporary hair dye, which only coats the hair, and is not absorbed into the hair shaft. Avoid direct contact with dye on the skin of the scalp, and adequately ventilate the area. Always follow the instructions dictated on the hair dye box/package.

Treating safely

Food allergies and general safety concerns make it so that it is important to be mindful when giving and receiving treats, as well as consuming them.

Candy and Food Safety

Don’t eat candy until it has been inspected at home.
Eat a snack before heading out to avoid the temptation of nibbling on a treat before it has been inspected.
In case of a food allergy, check the label to ensure the allergen isn’t present. Tell children not to accept or eat anything that isn’t commercially wrapped.
Parents of very young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys from the Halloween bags.
Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.

Eliminating Candy with the Teal Pumpkin Project

This is a fun way to help children, and adults if you are having a party, stay safe from food allergens. A teal pumpkin on your doorstep, or in front of your house, means you are providing non-food treats.

The good news is that Halloween can be just as much fun for kids with food allergies. Here are some thoughts:

Stock up on safe treats or inexpensive trinkets/toys to trade for any unsafe candies your child might receive while trick-or-treating. You can also use sorting through your child's candy as an opportunity to teach him or her about hidden allergens and reading labels.
Enforce a “no eating while trick-or-treating” rule, so that you have time to review all food labels.
Avoid candy and treats that do not have an ingredient label.
Always have an epinephrine auto-injector available, if prescribed.
Keep in mind that the mini-size, fun-size, or bite-size versions of candy may contain different ingredients than their full-size counterparts. Make no assumptions, and read all labels carefully.
Keep the emphasis on the fun, rather than the candy.
Consider starting a tradition by allowing their kids to leave their unsafe candies out for the “Good Witch” to collect and leave behind small gifts and safe treats.
Consider making small and safe “goody bags” for neighbors to give to your child. Deliver the bags in advance and describe your child’s costume to your neighbors. Encourage your child to trick-or-treat at the houses in which you’ve delivered the bags.
Consider skipping trick-or-treating, and have a Halloween party instead, featuring safe and delicious treats. Or, skip the treats altogether by replacing them with other fun Halloween toys, games, or party favors.
Remember that a candy that has been safe for your child in the past may now have different ingredients. Read the label, every time.

Ideas for Non-Food Treats

Glow sticks
Bracelets
Rings
Notepads
Bookmarks
Stickers
Bubbles
School supplies

Check out our podcast for driving safety tips and more here.

Some Anticipated Popular Halloween Costumes This Year

Pop culture always has a HUGE influence on what people will dress as for Halloween every year - whether those costumes be for superheroes, horror icons, celebrities, and more.

We included some of our favorites from Good Housekeeping's list of costumes that should take the Halloween season by storm this year. Maybe one of these will spark an idea for you.

Head to goodhousekeeping.com for their full list and suggestions on what items to purchase for each costume.