DEARBORN, Mich. – At the Makled home, painting the teal pumpkin is an annual tradition.
Teal is the color of food allergy awareness, and having one of these pumpkins lets families know you're offering treats you don't have to eat.
It's an issue that hits home for the Makleds. Six year-old son Alex is allergic to tree nuts and peanuts.
"He could have a life-threatening reaction which would affect his airway, and so we have to carry EpiPens everywhere we go," said Robbin Makled, Alex's mother. "And we have to be very careful about what he's able to eat."
That means most Halloween goodies are off limits.
"It can be very hard for Alex and other kids with nut allergies on Halloween," said Makled. "When all of your friends are going out and trick-or-treating and loading up on candy and basically your mom takes most of it away."
But the Teal Pumpkin Project wants to change that by encouraging families to offer non-food treats as well.
"We've got some Halloween bubbles, erasers, pencils, pencil tops, fake mustaches are very popular, bracelets," said Makled.
Bouncy balls, spider rings or other trinkets are fine too, but experts say avoid Play-Doh. It can cause problems for kids with a gluten-allergy.
You can still give out candy too, but keep it in a separate bowl from the non-food treats.
With about one in 13 kids now suffering from a food allergy, the idea is catching on. This year, several major retailers are selling teal pumpkin painting kits. Pre-made teal pumpkins are also for sale at craft stores and some pumpkin patches.
If you don't want to paint a pumpkin, you can also download a sign for your window.
There's also an online map to plot your home to let families know you're participating.
It's a small step that means a lot to families dealing with the challenges of food allergies.
"Last year there were friends at school who all told me, 'We're putting out teal pumpkins,' and it was just the best feeling to know that people cared about him and wanted him to feel included," said Makled. "There's nothing worse than seeing your child upset about not being able to be part of the fun."
And when she and Alex spot a teal pumpkin on someone's porch ...
"You have no idea what I feel in my heart. I'm so appreciative, and I tear up all the time," said Makled. "The more we can do to raise awareness and have these homes out there that offer both, the more all of these children will be able to be included."
To learn more about the Teal Pumpkin Project, click here.