Teal Pumpkin Project looks to help trick-or-treaters with food allergies
Doctors are expecting more Emergency Room visits come Halloween. They say kids come in with allergic reactions to candy.
“A llergic reactions can be fatal,” said Lompoc doctor, Dale Ekstrum.
Ekstrum said every October, his practice sees a small increase in visits for food allergies.
“Symptoms include swelling of the face, mouth, throat, trouble breathing at all. The most common [allergens] are milk, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts, citrus and seafood.”
In an effort to provide a safer option for trick-or-treaters, Lompoc residents like Mayra Ramos are joining the Teal Pumpkin Project.
The international movement encourages neighbors to offer non-food treats.
Ramos is already prepared with…
“S ome pencils that I’m hoping to give out to kids, some tattoos, some stickers…temporary tattoos of course, that glow in the dark.”
Ramos wants to make sure anyone who rings her doorbell has different options.
“I t’s nice to have options, that way everyone walks away happy and people don’t walks away sad with an apple like I used to when I was little,” she laughed.
The Lompoc resident explains what you need to do to join the Teal Pumpkin Project:
“N umber one is buying goodies that are non-food. Step number two is to place a teal pumpkin in front of your house. Step three is go online and register your house. I went to foodallergy.org and registered my house as one that offers non-food treats for trick or treaters. And step four is just to tell other people.”
