This Halloween, the streets of Montreal will be invaded by princes and princesses, monsters, K-pop Demon Hunters, superheroes – and with a bit of luck, a few thieves from the Louvre with Empress Eugenie’s tiara in one hand and a mini circular saw in the other.
While it’s exceptionally gratifying to feign terror at a tiny ghost or a barely larger vampire, Halloween trick-or-treating is always more enjoyable without a real scare. And there’s nothing more frightening for a parent than a bad allergic reaction…
That’s why, during this year’s candy hunt in Montreal, parents and kids will be able to orient themselves by the light of the moon and the giant spider webs that cover every other house this year, and spot the turquoise-painted pumpkins .
#MACITROUILLETURQUOISE
This is the 9th year of Allergies Québec’s initiative to help allergic children enjoy a Halloween candy hunt that’s as safe and magical as their friends’.
“Food allergies are a major and growing health problem in Quebec. With up to 8% of young children in Quebec living with food allergies, and an 18% increase in this segment of the population, I think the #MaCitrouilleTurquoise initiative makes perfect sense for Halloween.This activity offers us a great opportunity to raise awareness of this issue among young and old alike,” says Dominique Seigneur, Director of Development and Communications for Allergies Québec.
An allergic reaction can be dramatic for a child, and it happens very quickly after contact with the allergen. In Canada, the “priority” allergens are sesame, peanuts, soy, sulfites, wheat, milk, mustard, eggs and seafood.
Some of these allergens make up the most delicious Halloween candy, and we’d rather our allergic little monsters didn’t touch them in the slightest.
That’s why a turquoise pumpkin, even a paper pumpkin on the door, will signal to parents of allergic little monsters that in addition to the usual candy, the house also distributes non-food treats.
These safe treats can include pumpkin-shaped erasers, stickers, pencil drawing kits, yo-yos, balls… A little bit of everything, so that allergic children can fill their treasure bags too.
Homes participating in #MACITROUILLETURQUOISE can register on the interactive map here!Happy Halloween!