Field Trip with a Food Allergy

Children suffering from food allergies can be a terrifying issue for a parent to deal with. What is a greater fear is when the child is away from their normal routine and being able to ensure they are adhering to their specific diet. Whether it's a nut allergy or something a little more exotic preparing a child for such events as a field trip can save there life as well as giving you piece of mind. Here is a quick tip list of some tips that can make a field trip a stress free event for a child with food allergies.

1) Depending on the children's age they can be their own advocates. Educating you child on what they can and cannot eat is the number 1 way to protect themselves from possible food allergies being consumed on a field trip. Obviously the younger a child the harder this can be and even awareness can't stop all food allergies as some ingredients are hidden in foods.

2) Getting you child's teacher and chaperons involved can be another main deterrent to preventing you child from ingesting a food allergy. Discussing with your child's teacher can happen at anytime before the field trip and usually the chaperones can be contacted closer to the trip. Simply request the info from the school and they are obligated to give you their names. Parent chaperones shouldn't mind a phone call or note explaining your situation and can put their mind at ease to knowing ahead of time.

3) Create a list of prohibited foods to send with your child on the field trip. The list should be concise but have all major foods that contain the food allergy. This will also serve as a reminder to the teacher and chaperones of your child's allergy.

4) Have an action plan in case the food allergy is ingested. Having the immediate directions of medicine or actions can not only set another reminder to the parties involved it will give them the knowledge on how to react if the worst happens. No matter how careful you are snacks and other non-class given foods are bound to be floating around the buss or event so having an emergency plan could possibly save your child's life.

5) Pack a lunch. Some field trips have the option of supplying your own lunch for your child. This can ensure no allergy foods can be purchased or handed out.

Remember you can never be 100% but with the correct action you can be confident in you child's safety on any field trip.