Improving Snack Time Safety
According to the CDC and the National Center for Health Statistics, 5.8 % of children reported having a food allergy, with a 50% increase reported between 1997 and 2011. Detroit Medical Center states that today, 5.6 million children suffer from food allergies, which equates to roughly two children in every classroom. Additionally, the number of children with peanut or tree nut allergies has more than tripled, which presents a safety issue for snack time.
Children’s reactions to food can vary from a tingling sensation around the mouth and lips, hives, anaphylaxis, and even death, depending on the severity.
Eight foods account for 90% of all pediatric food allergies: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.
Food allergies can often be so severe that a child does not have to ingest any of the allergen, but can be in a room where the food is being prepared and served, and have a terrible reaction. Whether it’s spilled milk on a table or a small dollop of peanut butter on a used napkin, both can be dangerous to a child with allergies.
Prepare and Prevent
To improve snack time safety, your organization will need to include these five things:
- Training: Some volunteers may not understand the risks or harm that certain foods can cause to children with food allergies. Staff and volunteers will need to be trained on common allergens, how to identify a reaction, its symptoms, and the location of emergency equipment and contact numbers.
- A Nut-Free Zone: For some organizations, it’s best to eliminate the threat of a significant allergen, which not only reduces the risk of an incident but also lowers liability.
- Track Children’s Allergies: With KidCheck, this is done on the child’s name badge so that it is immediately apparent if an allergy exists. For children whose guardian indicates an alert in their profile, the child’s name is highlighted in reverse type, instead of the standard black letters on a white background. For easy reference, the allergy indicated by a guardian is also printed on the name tag.
- Acceptable Ingredient List: This helps take the Nut Free Zone to the next level because peanut oil is commonly used in foods such as candy, hot dogs, crackers, and other everyday foods that children eat. Anyone preparing snacks should always read the entire list of ingredients on any food product being served and look for allergens. Having a list that identifies unacceptable food ingredients, special symbols, and specific warnings will reduce the time it takes to find something that can be served confidentially.
- Emphasize the Importance of Timing: When dealing with severe allergies, timing can mean the difference between life and death. If treatment means using an EpiPen or administering an epinephrine shot, the worst time to learn is when an incident occurs. Therefore, it’s best for those who provide treatment to know the procedure beforehand.
For additional training, organizations such as the American Red Cross, local health departments, and hospitals provide training in emergency procedures.
The Plan
Keeping children safe and free from allergy incidents during snack time involves having accurate information that is used effectively and utilizing a system that visually communicates with staff and volunteers when a child has a medical need. Sadly, allergies are here to stay, but making snack time as safe as possible is a good first step in protecting the children you serve.
Click here to learn more about the benefits of using secure mobile Express Check-In, children’s and youth check-in, and volunteer scheduling to help manage your events.
For more safety information, subscribe to the KidCheck blog or connect with us on X, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2022/20220126.htm
https://www.dmc.org/healthy-living/corporate-content/food-allergies-in-children
