Backpack: check. School supplies: check. Lunch box: check. Updated Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan?
One of the most important strategies for keeping a child with food allergies safe at school is having a clear, concise, up-to-date plan for staff to follow if your child experiences an allergic reaction.
A Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan provides step-by-step guidance for recognizing and responding to a reaction. Because food allergy emergencies like anaphylaxis can be life-threatening, having a plan in place helps ensure everyone involved—teachers, school nurses, and other staff—knows exactly what to do.
Should epinephrine be administered if your child develops mild symptoms but is suspected of having eaten an allergen? What if your child is known to have ingested an allergen but hasn’t developed symptoms yet? What role should antihistamines or bronchodilators play? When should emergency services be called? Who should be contacted?
These are questions that need answers before an emergency happens. When a serious allergic reaction occurs, there may be no time for uncertainty, and prompt treatment can be critical.
Below are templates from leading organizations to help you and your child’s doctor develop an emergency plan. Download and print your preferred template, review it with your child’s allergist or pediatrician, and have them complete and sign the appropriate sections.
Once you’ve completed the remaining sections, including emergency contact information, sign the form and make copies for your child’s teachers, school nurse, and office staff. Whenever possible, introduce yourself to the people who will be responsible for your child, discuss the severity of your child’s allergies, and walk them through the plan so they understand when and how to take action.
Consider making additional copies for yourself, family members, babysitters, coaches, clergy, caregivers, and anyone else who may be responsible for your child.
Every child with food allergies should have an up-to-date emergency plan ready—because when a reaction occurs, everyone needs to know exactly what to do.
Emergency Action Plan Template from Kids with Food Allergies/Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (KFA, AAFA)
Emergency Action Plan Template from Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE)
Emergency Action Plan Template from American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Emergency Action Plan Template from American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)
