Families go Teal for Halloween

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – Halloween is right around the corner, and for most children that means a long night of trick-or-treating, but for Binta Tolbet and her 5-year-old son, PJ, the words trick-or-treat have a completely different meaning.

"We don’t tend to go door to door, it’s just unsafe," said Tolbet. More than 15 million children, in the US, suffer from food allergies just like PJ, which is why years ago one Tennessee mom started what is now known nationally as the Teal Pumpkin Project.

"The Teal pumpkin is put on the front step to symbolize to children and families that there are allergy safe trick-or-treat gifts," said Dr. Marc Cromie, pediatric and adult allergy specialist. The treats are usually non-food related such as toy spiders, light up balls or glow in the dark sticks.

"It creates awareness," said Tolbet, "For not only food allergies, but just making an inclusion for all kids to be involved in something that’s so popular and that most families do celebrate."

For more information on the Teal Pumpkin project, like ways to get involved, click here.