quick tips for managing food allergies at school
If your child has a food-allergy, it's important that you be prepared
and help others be prepared to deal with them while your child is at
school.
• If your doctor has prescribed medication, such as an antihistamine
or an Epinephrine Injector, supply your child's classroom with a fanny
pack containing these medications. Make sure that it is near your
child at all times, whether indoors or out.
• Implement a "no sharing food" policy for your child. All "safe foods"
should come from home, and be clearly labeled with your child's name
in case of any mix-ups.
• Place a note in a ziplock bag and tape it to the inside of your child's
lunchbox listing their allergies and emergency procedures that should be
taken, as well as emergency phone numbers for quick reference.
• Pick someone new to remind every day of your child's allergy. Remember,
there is safety in numbers, the more people that know, the better.
• Choose an outdated or otherwise unique looking lunchbox for your child.
This will help them identify it, helping to avoid any mix-ups.
• Stay informed. Ask your child's teacher to give you advance notice when
the class will be doing a project that contains any food (or other allergen)
and check all ingredients. Do your homework - bring in alternate ingredients
when possible or offer a like project for your child.
• Keep a "treat box" for your child in the classroom. Provide non-perishable
snacks that your child loves, so that they're available if the class has a special
snack. This way they won't feel left out.
• Have your child wear an allergy-alerting t-shirt from time to time to remind
caregivers.