Food Allergy Resources

Did you know that about 1 in 13 children have life-threatening food allergies? This means there is most likely a student in your child’s class, grade, or school bus that is allergic to one or more foods. According to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), “All food allergies have one thing in common: They are potentially life-threatening. Food allergy reactions can range from mild to severe. Mild food allergy reactions may involve only a few hives or minor abdominal pain, though some food allergy reactions progress to severe anaphylaxis with low blood pressure and loss of consciousness” (https://www.foodallergy.org/living-food-allergies/food-allergy-essentials/food-allergy-101).

How can you and your child help support the students at BWCJA with food allergies?

• Learn how to be a food allergy PAL
  • The Be a PAL® education program can help children learn how to Protect A Life (PAL) by being a good friend to kids with food allergies. Learn more here: https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/be-palr.
• Learn how to recognize and respond to a life-threatening allergic reaction
  • Recognizing and responding to a reaction: https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/recognizing-and-responding-reaction
  • How to use an epinephrine auto-injector (Epipen):
    • https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/Pages/How-to-Use-an-Epinephrine-Auto-Injector.aspx
    • https://www.epipen.ca/how-to-use-epipen
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMxHo8CM7aw