'Teal Pumpkin Project' Eases Fears For Children With Allergies On Halloween
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Every three minutes a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that food allergies among children have increased 50 percent in the last 18 years.
People came together in Maple Grove Saturday to spread the word about the "Teal Pumpkin Project." The group paints pumpkins teal to promote a safe and fun Halloween for everyone. Homes that display a teal pumpkin outside on Halloween signals that it's allergy friendly.
"It says 'If you have an allergy, you should feel safe trick or treating here,'" Julie McDonald, an organizer of the project, said. "'We have little trinkets for you. You won't have to worry about nuts, or something you may be allergic to.'"
Examples of inexpensive non-food treats include glow sticks, glow bracelets, Halloween-themed pencils and erasers and stickers, to name just a few.