Although peanuts may be the most common allergen causing anaphylaxis in students, there are other life-threatening allergens such as insect venom, pollen, medications, or certain synthetic substances. School systems must be aware that anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition regardless of the substance which triggers it.

Clear procedure for an emergency response to anaphylaxis must be in place in each school.

The first plan of action calls for the administration of adrenaline by auto-injection (epi-pen) immediately, at the first sign of a reaction, followed by immediate transportation to hospital, by ambulance if possible.

To minimize risk of exposure, and to ensure rapid response to an emergency, parents/guardians, children and program personnel must all understand and fulfil their responsibilities. The inter-relatedness of these roles is vital, for failure of any group to respond appropriately will negatively impact upon others.

1. To create a safe and healthy environment for students with severe life-threatening allergies.
2. To do so without exceeding the attention required for those particular students.
3. To be aware of those students’ needs to maintain a positive self-concept.

1. Take as much responsibility as possible for avoiding allergens, including checking labels and monitoring intake (developmentally appropriate).
2. Eat only foods brought from home.
3. Wash hands before and after eating.
4. Learn to recognize symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction (developmentally appropriate).
5. Promptly inform an adult, as soon as accidental exposure occurs if symptoms appear (developmentally appropriate).
6. Wear a medical identification bracelet.
7. Keep an auto-injector on their person at all times (i.e fanny pack developmentally appropriate).
8. Know how to use the auto-injector (developmentally appropriate).

1. Identify their child’s allergies and needs to the school.
2. Ensure that their child has and carries an up-to-date auto-injector.
3. Ensure their child has and wears a medical identification bracelet.
4. Provide the school with current (within one year) written medical instructions signed by the child’s Physician and parent/guardian.
5. Submit all necessary documentation as required.
6. Provide the school with adrenaline auto-injectors (pre-expiry date).
7. Ensure that auto-injectors are taken on field trips.
8. Participate in the development of a written Individual Health Care Plan for their child, updated annually.
9. Be willing to provide safe foods for their child, for special occasions.
10. Provide support to the school and staff as required.
11. Teach their child: (developmentally appropriate):

1. to recognize the first signs of an anaphylactic reaction;
2. to know where his/her medication is kept and who can get it;
3. to communicate clearly when he or she feels a reaction starting;
4. to carry his/her own auto-injector on their person (e.g. fanny pack);
5. not to share snacks, lunch, or drinks;
6. to understand the importance of hand washing;
7. to cope with teasing and being left out.

1. Submit a URIS Application form to URIS (Unified Referral and Intake System).
2. Identify a contact person to liaise with the contracted health care professional, if other than him/herself.
3. Develop and assist with the implementation of policies and procedures for reducing risk in the school.
4. Ensure that the parents of an anaphylactic child are aware of relevant Board and school policies and procedures.
5. Work as closely as possible with the parents/guardians of the child with known risk of anaphylaxis.
6. Ensure the parents/guardians have completed all necessary forms.
7. Ensure the instructions from the child’s Physician are on file.
8. Post allergy alert forms with photograph, in the staff room and office (with parent/child approval).
9. Maintain up-to-date emergency contacts and telephone numbers.
10. Ensure staff, who regularly work with students requiring auto-injection, have received instruction in the use of the auto-injector.
11. Ensure staff, including Substitute Teachers and Bus Drivers, are informed of the presence of a child with known risk of anaphylaxis, and that appropriate support/response is available, should an emergency occur.Inform parents/guardians that a child with a life-threatening allergy is in direct contact with their child, and ask for their support and co-operation (with parent approval).
12. Arrange an annual in-service through the Public Health Nurse (or contracted nursing agency if Public Health Nurse is not available) to train staff and monitor personnel involved with the child with life-threatening allergies.
13. Ensure an Individual Health Care Plan, which includes an Emergency Response Plan, is completed and reviewed annually for each child with a life-threatening allergy.
14. If not developmentally appropriate for the child to carry an auto-injector, ensure that it is carried by an adult responsible for administering the medication.
15. Ensure safe procedures are developed for field trips and extra-curricular activities.

1. Discuss anaphylaxis with the class in age appropriate terms.
2. Inform students of the danger of sharing lunches or snacks.
3. Choose allergen-free foods for classroom events.
4. Encourage all children to wash hands before and after eating.
5. Facilitate communication with other parents.
6. Follow the school plan for reducing risk in classroom and common areas.
7. Leave information and a photo of the anaphylactic child in an organized, prominent place and accessible format for Substitute Teachers.
8. Ensure auto-injectors are taken on field trips.

1. Attend in-service sessions provided by the School Division to receive training in the use of an auto-injector (epi-pen).
2. Be aware of emergency response procedures.
3. Carry a copy of the emergency alert form on the school bus in a safe place.
4. Ensure that an auto-injector is available and accessible when the student is on the bus.