SAFETY TIPS ON HOW PARENTS CAN NAVIGATE FOOD ALLERGIES THIS HALLOWEEN

As Halloween approaches, excitement fills the air with children preparing for trick-or-treating and festive celebrations. However, for parents of children with food allergies, this time of year can bring anxiety and uncertainty. Navigating Halloween safely while managing food allergies is essential to ensure that everyone has a fun and worry-free holiday. Here are safety tips on how parents can navigate food allergies this Halloween, keeping their little ghouls and goblins safe. Two children celebrating Halloween. PEXELS.COM According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies affect an estimated 8% of children in the United States. Although many of these exposures do not lead to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction, the CDC notes that nearly 40% of children with food allergies have been treated at an emergency department. Usually during the holidays, there is an increase in exposure to common allergens such as nuts and ER visits. “It can be ostracizing,” Shauna McQueen, MS RD, founder of MenuMinders said in an interview with Parents.com. “Aside from the physical risks that children may be navigating, there’s a whole emotional component that they may experience as well, in terms of not being able to share in the holiday as...