Going Back To School Safely

To help alleviate any back-to-school anxiety, we decided to come up with some suggestions.

👉 First, it's important to find out where your child's lunch will be stored. This ensures that their food is kept in a safe and allergen-free environment.

👉 Also, ask if there is a designated area for your child to eat. This will provide reassurance that they have a specific place where they can comfortably enjoy their meals.

👉 Make it a point to ask about the supervision that will be present during lunch & snack times. Understanding who will be overseeing these periods can help ensure that proper precautions are taken and any potential allergens are avoided.

👉 Learn the location where the epinephrine auto-injectors will be kept and who will administer them during an emergency. It's crucial to be aware of this information and have confidence that there are trained individuals who can provide immediate medical assistance in case of an allergic reaction.

👉 Additionally, you can encourage your child's school to train and educate their staff on how children describe allergic reactions. Sometimes, children may struggle to articulate their symptoms using the right terms, so educating the staff can facilitate prompt recognition and response. Consider hosting a Red Sneaker Day to teach the school about your child’s food allergies.

👉 It also helps to request teachers to avoid using food items as rewards in the classroom. This minimizes the risk of accidental exposure to allergens and promotes a safer environment for all students.

👉 Another way you can make sure your child is safe at school is by providing the class teacher with a list of foods your child is allergic to. This way the teacher will have a comprehensive understanding of your child's specific allergens and be in a better position to take appropriate measures to prevent any accidental exposure.

Source: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/school-foodallergy.html