5 surprising Halloween items that will litter your house (2023)

With Halloween fast approaching, we're starting to see more and more cobwebs gathering in corners and crawling along railings, jack-o'-lanterns keeping watch on porches and transforming witches, ghosts, superheroes and monsters for all ages. As the leaves change color and the scent of pumpkin spice fills the air, Halloween plans begin to take shape.

Everyone wants Halloween to be a fun, safe holiday for kids, but some traditional Halloween items can pose special dangers, especially for those with allergies and asthma. A little anxiety can be nice when it comes to what happens at night, but when it comes to your health and that of your child, it's best not to take the risk. Are your Halloween costumes and decorations safe? How do you know which Halloween items are hidden security risks?

1. Pumpkin

In October, it's hard to resist the delicious orange pumpkin stalls that pop up on your regular commute. Families across the United States visit pumpkin patches to pick out their favorite pumpkins to take home for carving. However, if not handled properly, these pumpkins can introduce harmful pollutants into your home.

It's no secret that pumpkins are perishable whether sliced ​​or not. Anyone who has left pumpkins on their porch for too long can attest that these festive gourds can easily become a breeding ground for mold, bacteria and insects.

mouldCan grow quickly in warm, moist environments and produce spores that are released into the air.released tracksmoldy pumpkincapablecause unpleasantnessrespiratory symptomsIn some people — especially those with asthma and allergies — it can include a runny nose, headache, itchy or watery eyes, sneezing, and skin rashes.

If you hate the idea of ​​celebrating Halloween without a pumpkin or two, here are some tips for decorating your home while avoiding mold and unwanted pests:

• When carving pumpkins, be sure to remove the pulp and seeds insidePerfect soil.
• Store carved pumpkins outdoors whenever possible. If you must bring your pumpkin inside, seal it in a plastic bag and store it in a cool place like the refrigerator.
• Use a bleach solution to clean the outside, inside, and cut edges of the pumpkin to prevent mold growth. However, make sure to only use the cleaning solution outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Never mix bleach with anything other than water.

notes:In the fall, hay bales and piles of fallen leaves can also be potential sources of mold.

2. Plastic ornaments

What's Halloween without some dangling bats, plastic skeletons and scary critters to hide? Who doesn't love a classic hand-pasted candy bowl? Alas, the impactchemical exhaustThese plastic decorations can be made scarier than you can imagine.

Sometimes harmful fumes are retained in certain products during the production process. Outgassing is a term used to describe what happens when a product releases these harmful gases into the air. Products made from black plastic, such as many Halloween decorations, pose a greater health risk than other plastic products, according to a 2018 study from the University of Plymouth. Many black plastic products are made from recycled materials that contain potentially harmful chemicals such as bromine, antimony and lead (Turner, 2018).

Fortunately, there are plenty of non-plastic options on the market to help you get into the Halloween spirit! Try orange and red flowers, garlands, lanterns, and paper or fabric banners to add just the right amount of spooky fun to your home. Your local thrift store can also be a great source for one-of-a-kind decorations. In addition, second-hand trims have often already gone through the worst exhaust stages.

3. Scented candles

There's nothing like a pumpkin spice candle to get you in the fall mood, and everyone knows a jack-o'-lantern isn't complete without a twinkle behind the eyes. Candles, especially those with fall scents, are one of the most popular things people use to celebrate Halloween, but there's more to it than just fall scents to fill your home.

Many decorative candles -- especially the cheap ones -- contain a wax called paraffin that releasesharmful pollutantsEnters air during combustion. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause health effects when inhaled, such as:

• eye, nose or throat irritation
• Headache
• nausea
• fatigue
• Dizziness

Fortunately, that doesn't mean you have to forego your favorite fall scents! Research has shown that plant-based candles, such as soy candles, do not produce the same harmful chemicals when burned. As far as jack-o'-lanterns go, battery-operated flameless candles are definitely the safer bet.

4. Halloween costumes

Helping your child find the perfect costume can be one of the best parts of Halloween. Whether they want to dress up as scary monsters, fairytale princesses or characters from their favorite shows, you'll find ready-made costumes to match your child's vision. However, most of these garments are mass-produced and stored in plastic bags until you take them home, which means that the de-aeration process cannot begin until you take the garment out of its packaging.

A studyMany children's Halloween costumes and accessories have been found to contain potentially harmful substances, including:

• flame retardant--becauseCombustible Substances Act, Many children's clothing today contains flame retardants. Flame retardants are endocrine and thyroid disruptors that can negatively affect the immune system.according toAccording to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse health effects of flame retardants because their bodies are still developing.
• phthalates— Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastic and vinyl softer and more flexible. National Health InstitutesrecommendAvoid phthalates whenever possible and keep children away from plastic or vinyl products that may contain phthalates.

To find the safest clothing option for your child, try to avoid plastic or vinyl clothing and clothing labeled "flame resistant." You can also try creating an outfit from clothes and items found around your home or at a local thrift store.

notes:If you plan to use clothes or clothing accessories that are stored in the attic or basement, wash or dry them thoroughly before wearing. They can be dust, mold ordust mite wasteMay cause allergy and asthma symptoms.

5. Makeup and painting

How can you be a zombie without creepy gray-green skin? Or a vampire without fangs? Many of the most popular and funniest Halloween costumes call for heavy makeup or face paint in colors you probably don't already have on hand.

If you need outrageous makeup colors that you'll probably never use again, you're probably tempted to find one of those cheap makeup kits in the Halloween aisle of a big box store. However, the savings may not be worth the health risks associated with these cheaper products.

AReport 2016Traces of heavy metals, such as lead, mercury and arsenic, were found in 21 of 48 children's face paints tested. In addition, 20 percent of the 39 children's cosmetics tested were found to contain at least one VOC.

Whether your child wants to be a clown, a zombie, a skeleton, or a combination of the three, it's best to stick with traditional beauty products that have been tested by dermatologists. And if you're feeling a bit of a mad scientist, you can give it a tryhome-madeNon-toxic top coat made with water, vegetable oils, flour and natural dyes.

Breathe easier this Halloween

There are many things that can make Halloween scary, but toxic pollutants are not one of them.

To protect you and your kids from the gas this Halloween season:

• Try to let new clothes, accessories and decorations dry before using them.
• Make sure you are in a well-ventilated area when applying makeup or hairspray.

Some other ways to avoid breathing problems during Halloween could include:

• American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology (ACAAI)suggestionPack an inhaler as directed by your child's doctor, and an extra sweater or scarf in case cold weather worsens asthma symptoms.
• Before heading out, check the outdoor air quality in your areawww.airnow.gov.If the outdoor air quality is particularly poor, you may need to adjust or shorten your trick-or-treating schedule.

While some of the sources of air pollution mentioned above may surprise you, they shouldn't stop you from fully enjoying this Halloween season. With a little thought and creativity, you'll find plenty of fun, safe ways to get into the Halloween spirit. Have fun and stay safe!