Given the ongoing pandemic worry, Halloween 2021 in Montgomery County may be another year of self-serve treats. Or families may opt to open their doors and hand out goodies themselves.

Whatever the plan, the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), a nonprofit advocacy group, reminds the public of the inclusiveness of using a teal pumpkin to signal the availability of allergy-free goodies.

According to FARE, one in 13 children in the U.S. has a potentially life-threatening food allergy. Many traditional Halloween treats aren’t safe for these kids, as popular Halloween candies can contain nuts, milk, egg, soy, wheat, or sesame.

The project encourages participants to put a teal pumpkin on doorsteps to signify that non-food treats — safe for all trick-or-treaters — are available. Suggested giveaways include glow sticks, stickers, small toys, bubbles, vampire fangs, and ghost erasers.

“The number of children with food allergies has risen dramatically over the past 20 years, and the Teal Pumpkin Project brings the community together to ensure a safe and inclusive Halloween for all trick-or-treaters,” said FARE President & Chief Executive Officer Lisa Gable. “We are so grateful for the support of Allergy Insider as the first title sponsor of the Teal Pumpkin Project.”

More information on this Halloween initiative — including an interactive map to find allergy-friendly treat homes — is at FARE.