Did you know that food allergies are on the rise? Every 3 minutes, a food allergy reaction occurs. Below are some tips for parents as they send their kids off to play dates, birthday parties, daycare, after-school sports and clubs, etc.
1. Logistical Coordinator – let friends’ parents, coaches and field trip chaperones know of your child’s specific food allergies, how to recognize an allergic reaction and what to do in case of emergency. The best way to do this is to schedule an advanced one-on-one meeting.
2. Wrist Candy – Medical safety bracelets have saved hundreds of lives since EMTs are trained to look for them. The only way a bracelet can save your child’s life in an emergency is if they are actually wearing them. Nowadays, many companies, like Medical ID Marketplace (www.hopepaige.com) are creating trendy bracelets that kids no longer have to be embarrassed for wearing them. They have hundreds of designs fit for every kid’s personality. The bracelets also come with a complimentary engraving and allow parents to include emergency contacts and health info.
3. Play Ball – allergies should never come between your child and their extracurricular activity. Make sure to pack a smart snack and a proper medicine kit (i.e. EpiPen, Inhaler, etc). This is where the one-on-one meetings come in handy. Make sure the coaches/staff know how to use the medicine kit correctly, so there is no fumbling around in emergencies.
4. Smart Snacks – kids will be kids and should not be deprived of a mid-afternoon snack because they have allergies. Instead load them up with “safe” alternatives like Oreos and Skittles that are all peanut-free.
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