|
Keep
Kids Safe at UPLANDS Elementary
Food allergies are serious!
No one knows
exactly why, but
more and more children are becoming severely allergic to certain
foods, especially peanuts, nuts, milk, egg, soy, fish and
shellfish. Sometimes, if
they eat, touch or even breathe a tiny amount of the food they
are allergic to, they can become very ill…. Even die! While there
is no cure for food allergies, doctors can prescribe medications
to reduce the severity of a reaction should it occur. The only way
to prevent a reaction from occurring is to strictly avoid
foods that trigger the reaction!
These foods cause the
most food allergies:
Anaphylaxis is a sudden,
severe allergic reaction that involves several of the following
symptoms, as well as difficulty breathing, drop in blood
pressure, and loss of consciousness. In rare cases, it can
cause death in a matter of minutes.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
Ø
Swelling of the face
and lips
Ø
Tingling in the
mouth
Ø
Swelling in the
tongue and throat
Ø
Difficulty breathing
Ø
Skin that is bumpy,
red and itchy
Ø
Vomiting
WHAT
you can do to help keep KIDS SAFE:
Become aware
of the seriousness of anaphylactic shock If a student
in your child’s class has a life-threatening allergy, make it a
priority to ensure these students are safe from anaphylactic
shock by avoiding these types of foods when making school
lunches, snacks and treats.
What
Uplands
Elementary will do to help
keep kids safe
1.) Develop
in-school policies and procedures to reduce the risk for
students with food allergies ingesting or contacting foods they
are allergic to.
2) Establish a
Food Allergy Action Plan for every student who is identified
with a food allergy.
3) Ensure staff
and students are aware of the symptoms of anaphylaxis and the
procedures for dealing with allergic reactions.
4) Promote
awareness about anaphylaxis with staff, students and the school
community.
What students
CAN DO TO help keep kids safe:
Five Finger Rule:
1.
Never take food allergies lightly!
2.
Don't share food!
3.
Wash hands after eating!
4.
Ask a friend what they are allergic to and help the
friend avoid it!
5.
Get help immediately if a schoolmate has a
reaction!
|