Is your state on the Honor Roll for asthma and allergies?

It's Back To School time!!! Muhahahah! Sorry kids, but it makes parents excited!!

Is your school prepared to handle allergies and asthma emergencies? The Asthma Community Network has a list of the 2013 State Honor Roll of Asthma and Allergy Policies For Schools. 
  

Here's a quote from the website:

"One of the bright-spots in school policy for 2013 is the speed and momentum of efforts to pass laws in the states allowing schools to stock epinephrine auto-injectors – emergency medication for anaphylaxis, the most severe type of allergic reaction."

The list of states that have policies in place to protect students with allergies and asthma comes from the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. (AAFA).You can visit their website to see how your state is doing.

Does your know if your school stocks Epi Pens in case a student has an allergic reaction to something they ate?  We never thought it would happen to us, but the first time it did, it was VERY scary!! To learn more about food allergies,  visit AAFA's website. 

Check with your school and see what policies they have in place to protect your child. Son #2 is allergic to tree nuts, and those sneaky little things are in a LOT of bakery products and ice cream flavors. So we are always reading labels.

But knowing that all 138 public school in our county are stocked with an Epi Pen "just in case" makes me feel a lot better. Talk to your school nurse or principal and see what they provide.

Chances are, your child will be fine in school. But if they were to have a reaction to something they ate, wouldn't you want the school to have an Epi Pen on hand to save their life? Let's just hope they never have to actually use it....