Food allergies can life threatening. As a parent what can you do to reduce your child’s risk of accidental exposure to foods they’re allergic too while at school?
- Notify the school of your child’s food allergies.
- Work with the school to develop a plan that accommodates your child’s needs throughout the day (classroom, cafeteria, before and after school programs, bus, etc.) as well as a Food Allergy Action Plan.
- Provide written medical documentation, instructions, and medications as directed by a physician, using the Food Allergy Action Plan as a guide. Also include a current picture of your child on written form.
- Supply properly labeled medications and replace after use or upon expiration.
- Educate your child on to manage their food allergy (safe vs. unsafe foods, how to avoid exposure to unsafe foods, symptoms of allergic reactions, how/when to alert an adult they may be having an allergic reaction, how to read food labels).
- If your child has an allergic reaction review policies/procedures with the school staff, the child’s physician, and the child (if age appropriate).
- Always keep the school and your child’s physician up to date on emergency contact information.
Consider having your child wear a wristband that notes their food allergy or using a lunch bag that specifies what their food allergies are so there’s never any confusion.
Source: foodallergy.org
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