PARENTS OF ALLERGIC KIDS
CHARLOTTE, NC
Here are some tips and ideas from fellow PAK members:
Two PAK families that belong to the same preschool held a fun event for Food Allergy Awareness Week. They showed the children pictures of all different foods and had them pick out which ones were unsafe for themselves or their classmates. It teaches not only the kids with allergies, but their classmates what to look for.
To help young children recognize the foods they are allergic to, have them cut out safe and unsafe foods and make their own book. We used the weekly grocery store ads and old magazines. It is a great way to show them the world of food they can have!
Many times I have been stopped by medical personnel, firemen, etc. commending we have a medic alert bracelet on our son. It is very important, especially if they are places you are not. People are starting to ask my son about it and he can say “No Eggs, No Nuts!” A local fireman told me they look at wrists and ankles first, necklaces and shoes. You can buy medic alert bracelets at: http://www.n-styleid.com/ or http://www.medicalert.com/
Place a label on your front door that reminds neighbors and friends about the allergy. This is especially helpful during the holidays!
A fellow PAK member purchased stickers and playdate notepads from a local company called Tagums. They do 150 different faces for children and will customize the writing on the items. The customized stickers and playdate note pads for her family will include her children's likenesses and food allergy info like "DON'T GIVE OUTSIDE FOOD". It is a great way to remind school faculty, friends and anybody that is with your children about the food allergy. Their website is www.tagums.com and number is 704.542.6389 Here is an example:
