Erica Ehm's Tips on How to Have a Safe and Affordable Halloween

Ready or not the spookiest time of year is just around the corner. If you've got school-aged kids you already know how highly anticipated October 31st is. After all, they spend weeks planning out and changing their minds about Halloween costumes. And let's not forget about all the sugary Halloween treats that they hope to get. We spoke to one of Canada's most recognized personalities and the CEO of Yummy Mummy Club, Erica Ehm, about how to have a safe and affordable Halloween.


Follow the DIY trend
Cash-strapped moms are choosing to make costumes rather than buy them. It's also are great opportunity to get the kids involved in assembling or building a costume. Today, trends lean towards unconventional, inventive things like being a spoon, an iPhone, or, my personal favourite, a binder full of women.

When constructing costumes consider the weather. You don't want to disappoint your little princesses when you tell her it's too cold to go out without a coat, thus obligating her to cover up her pretty, frilly costume. "Ask yourself 'how can I incorporate layers so my child can be warm and make sure that there are no tears?'" recommends Ehm. Make sure the costume is safe to walk in, avoid masks because they hinder peripheral vision, and incorporate reflective tape as part of the costume. Multitasking reflective tape only costs a few bucks and can be purchased at most hardware stores.

Be conscientious about treats
Halloween and birthday parties are the most terrifying time for parents because that the potential dangers that a variety of candies and foods can pose to a child with life-threatening food allergies. As a mother of a child with a severe peanut allergy, she knows first hand how scary these situations can be. "The phrase may contain traces of ... is an important phrase that parents need to be aware of [on food packaging]," says Ehm. On August 4, 2012, the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA) enforced enhanced labeling regulations for food allergens. Products that contain undeclared allergens will be subject to CFIA compliance and may be recalled where there is a risk to consumers.


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Five years ago, Ehm made a life-changing discovery: she discovered Nestle assorted chocolates. She was nearly reduced to tears because Nestle was the first to market candy made in a peanut-free facility. Since then it has become her go-to treat for Halloween. She loves them because of their size and because of she has become extremely sensitive to children with nut allergies. According to researchers at AllerGen NCE Inc., about 2.5 million Canadians suffer from food allergies. Of this number 1.93 per cent suffer from a peanut allergy and 2.36 per cent suffer from a tree nut allergy. "Why would I give out candy that a child cannot eat," she reasons. She feels so strongly about the issue that she is working with Nestle to remind parents and the general public to be mindful of kids that are coming to their door who have life-threatening nut allergies. If you do purchase the classic Nestle red box, help paint the town red by placing the box in your window, so that families who are sensitive to peanuts and tree nuts will know that your treats are safe.


Inspect smart
After a night of trick or treating, Ehm and her two children dump the contents of their Halloween loot bags on the living room floor, and together, they read the ingredients on every single candy product. "Anything that does not list the ingredients goes into a potentially life-threatening pile," she says. "Anything that is made in a peanut-free facility she's [her daughter] allowed to eat."

Peanut-free products don't cost more than products that were made in regular facility -- and they're becoming more convenient to find. A growing number of companies like Quaker (the makers of peanut-free granola bars) and Treasure Mills (the makers of the peanut-and nut-free brand School Safe) are available at retailers across Canada and the United States.