Halloween can be a holiday with a lot of anxiety for children with diabetes and their parents. As the pandemic continues, it is important to follow safe and healthy tips to participate in Halloween activities to reduce the possibility of contacting COVID-19, especially with the younger unvaccinated groups. 
 

Here are some ways to have fun and be safe this Halloween!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shared tips on how to safely participate in Halloween activities like treat-or-treating.

Those tips include:

• Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters.
• Give out treats outdoors, if possible.
• Avoid large gatherings 
• Set up a station with individually bagged treats for kids to take.
• Wash hands before handling treats.
• Wear a mask

Tips for Trick-or-Treating with Diabetes

Halloween can be a difficult time to control the intake of candy, for both children and parents. Candy can be incorporated into the meal plan, with careful planning and monitoring of portion size. Just look for the amount of carbohydrate and fat contained in the treats, and don’t be tricked by the small packages.

Still, this doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to enjoy the "treat" of Halloween like everyone else. The "trick" is to find a way to put the emphasis on the fun while controlling the risk for problems with hyperglycemia.

• Use the app “Calorie King” for nutritional information
   
• Trade the large candy bars for small trinkets
  • Tattoos, stickers, markers, crayons
  • Barrettes, hair ribbons, jewelry
  • Action figures, matchbox cars, trucks 
     
• Trade the candy for a special predetermined present (i.e. Switch Witch)
  • An outdoor family outing (miniature golf, zoo, park, hike, etc…)
  • A new toy, video, computer game, iTunes card, or DVD.
  • Money, a gift card to a favorite store, or an IOU for something they like to do
  • A new outfit or sports jersey   
                                                                                                          
• Giving out small toys or trinkets at your house instead of candy
  • Give non-candy treats to your neighbors like stickers, yo-yos, Halloween tattoos, light sticks, spider rings, fangs, Play Dough, etc…

We hope that whatever you choose to do this Halloween that you have fun and be safe!