June '07 Bulletin
(Meeting held: 6/20)
** Revised 3/4/09
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How To Keep Children Safe
Traveling
1) Ship or pack safe food/beverage, toaster, electric skillet, pots/pans, if your room has a kitchenette.
2) Bring extra epinephrine and doctor's note.
3) Always make sure your child is wearing MedicAlert bracelet.
4) Pack your own toiletries.
5) If traveling to a rural or foreign country, join the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers, www.iamat.org. Free membership. Provides a network of physicians who speak English and have had medical training in the North America or Europe. (Source: How To Manage Your Child's Life-Threatening Food Allergies by L. Coss)
6) Bring lots of wipes.
7) Request a smoke/pet-free accommodations.
When traveling by airplane, bring
1) Our own food to eat.
2) Epinephrine autoinjectors (EpiPen or Twinject).
3) Antihistamines, hydrocortisone, asthma inhalers.
4) Authorization from our physician to carry epinephrine autoinjectors.
5) Wipes to clean trays, armrests, and seats.
6) L:etter to the TSA (Transportation Security Administration)
Parties
1) Always bring medical kit, wipes and your child's safe food/beverage. Ask the host what she/he is serving so you can bring something comparable.
2) Try to have home parties and hire entertainment or plan craft/sport activities. Only serve safe food.
3) Bake your own allergen-free desert. See PAK Cookbook for ideas.
4) Ask host to inform guests of your child's allergies to prevent sharing.
5) Never allow others cook for your child or trust the goody bags (unless food free).
6) Ask host to remove dangerous foods (peanuts or cheese doodles).
7) Offer wipes to children after eating.
Field Trips
1) Accompany your child on all trips (required in Sachem School District). If your child is allergic to animals such as pigs or horses, take extra precautions when visiting farms or petting zoos.
2) Bring Medical Kit, wipes and SAFE F&B.
3) Review an emergency plan before the trip.
4) If you aren't allowed/cannot attend the trip, make sure your child's medications accompany the adult in charge.
Camp
1) Review the procedures staff has in place to keep your child safe.
2) Teach staff about your child's allergies.
3) Ask to supervise the environment briefly before you leave your child at camp.
4) Find out if activities (crafts) include food.
5) Medical kit must be kept with the adult in charge of your child. Ask if they have a nurse on staff.
6) Have staff integrate the Be a PAL program by FAAN.
Transportation for your child on the school bus
Speak to the district about their policy.
If driver is untrained and unable to take responsibility, request an aide on the bus. Get a note from your child's allergist recommending an aid.
Chain of Command: building principal, school nurse, Superintendent, Director of Special Ed. (request
504 plan based on med needs), Board Of Ed., and then Marion Edick (Director of Transportation: State Ed Dept. to seek info on the impartial hearing process)
The following are School Bus Procedures for Students with Allergies
1. Eating food should be prohibited on school buses.
2. School bus drivers shall be trained by appropriate personnel in risk reduction procedures, recognition of allergic reaction and implementation of bus emergency plan procedure. (school nurse)
3. With parental permission, school bus drivers will be provided with the Allergy Action Plan of students with Allergies (including photo ID & seating chart).
4. The school bus must have a cell phone of other means of communication for emergency calls.
On how to work with your district to get the services/support your allergic child needs:
Speak to appropriate staff members: teachers, principals and administrator
Board of Education
Contact local and State politicians, Governor, etc.
State Ed. Department
Grab Supporters: Fellow community parents, doctors, school nurse.
Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of a diability in education and endures a safe and appropriate public education. If schools do not comply, call 1-800-368-1019 or email ocrmail@hhs.gov, or visit www.hhs.gov/ocr to file a complaint online.
To learn more visit www.504idea.org
Tips from Members
Rich’s Non-dairy creamer: great substitute for milk
Visit Riches.com
Vanicream: Great creams/sunscreen for people w/ eczema (1-800-325-8232)
Will send free samples
Pump- It Up in Plainview
Great for b-day parties very clean and has segmented rooms for food.
Final Tip: Always stop to thank yourself for being your child’s best advocate. Take time to relax and take care of yourself once in awhile. Perhaps a night out to dine without guilt and kids for that matter.
Does your child have severe food allergies?
You've come to the right place.
