What would you think if a house in your neighborhood posted a sign?

Question

... that read...

"This house will ONLY pass out HOME-MADE treats on Halloween night that are safe for children with peanut allergies, wheat allergies, gluten intollerances, and diabetes.
EVERY child deserves a SAFE and HEALTHY HALLOWEEN!"

Serious and honest answers only, please.

Answer 1

I think that's an EXCELLENT idea! So many of these children with allergies and other conditions cannot enjoy halloween because mom and dad either don't allow them to go out or because mom and dad have to take half (or more!)of the candy away because the kids can't eat it.

Answer 2

While applaud this family's diligence, with regards to the health of their children, it's not right to impose those restrictions on others. The last sentence is also insulting to others, who don't have a problem eating foods that contain peanuts, wheat, gluten, etc. What do these ingredients have to do with safety? Not all children are allergic and if a parent is aware of these health concerns, then it's their responsibility to ensure that their child does not consume these said ingredients, but it is not their job to regulate what the rest of the world eats.

In my house, we try to purchase organic foods and rarely have candy, instead we buy fruits, but I would never enforce that rule on visitors. Plus, while this person is concerned with the specific ingredients, who is to say that they are the cleanliest?

And God-forbid someone's child becomes ill after eating a treat, any treat, that family may be facing a lawsuit.

That house may be dark and lonely, because of that sign.

Answer 3

Nobody says they have to give out food. Their hearts are in the right place, I suppose, but they are not the parents to the world. If they don't want to contribute to calories and are concerned about allergies, they should give out coloring pages or glow sticks or something non-edible.

If I was a parent I would be wary of home-made foods. Not from a poisoning angle but from a health standpoint. Sure, it may be a healthy treat, but unless its a piece of fruit (bad trick-or-treat idea) it may have been prepared by dirty hands in a dirty kitchen. I wouldn't let my child eat it. Manufactured foods, regardless of health aspects, meet certain standards for human consumption.

Answer 4

While I'm sure these people think they are being helpful, it may deter parents from letting their children have candy from that house. While it's a wonderful idea there's candy out there that is designed for those with diabetes and there are a lot of candies out there that don't have peanuts.
Personally unless I knew the homeowner I would skip that house. I know that's really cynical but who know's if the kitchen was clean.

Answer 5

I think I wouldn't take my kids there. Sure, it's great to want to give the kids healthier snacks and maybe their own kids have an aversion to certain things and that is why they are doing it. However, you never know about how people live and what they find acceptable kitchen behavior--not washing their hands before they cook, not washing their hands before they handle the cookies to be passed out, etc. Most of all though, I think maybe they did this to discourage treak or treaters. How many kids really want homemade sugar free treats? Be weary very weary.

Answer 6

Well, some parents might be nervous, but I'm sure they'd accept it. After all, what person is going to go through all the trouble of making a sign saying all that. It definitely would not be a person who wants to poison your child. There's really no motive behind it anyway. I think that's a pretty good idea.

Answer 7

I would think they or perhaps their child has some allergies. They are notifying people of their intentions...might be a bit on the passive aggressive side (the end part) but I wouldn't get all freaked out about it...I'm sure there are plenty of others that will be passing out chocolate!

Answer 8

Well given that tampering with treats is a urban legend, I'd think that the sign is probably ok. The parents are probably concerned about too much sugar and are aware that there is a rise in food allergies.

Answer 9

I'm a teen, os heres what i think. It's actually a greaet idea, and so nice to think of others who can't enjoy halloween as much as other kids can. Here's the thing, your close neighbors and friends, and kids friends of course wouldn't mind taking homemade candy from you, but those who don't know you would probably be apprehensive. If you don't mind having less kids at your house this year, than go for it, and take a stand! :-)

Answer 10

I think they will not be getting many trick or treaters. We get maybe 4 or 5 at most. Kids want junk, not healthy stuff. I gave away raisins one year and the kids were very disappointed and lots of them refused them or threw them on the lawn or smashed them on the sidewalk. I think it is a ploy to keep trick or treaters away. I bet it works! Kids with allergies and those kinds of food intolerances will NOT be out trick or treating!