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SAFETM stands for: Support Allergic Friends Everywhere. While people who live with life-threatening allergies must take responsibility for their own safety, they should also be able to rely on community respect and support. Whether it is at school, or in the workplace, community understanding and awareness can make a big difference.
Many teachers, administrators, parents and students have asked Anaphylaxis Canada to help them develop awareness programs for their schools and school boards. We initially created the SAFETM program in response to their expressed needs, and we believe that it will find expanded application in the food industry and work settings.
The program is simple, and based on the principle of respect for others. It takes the focus away from the allergic individual and offers suggestions for what the community can do to safeguard the well-being of all its members.
Some allergic children feel apprehensive about going to school � they worry about the following questions:
- Will I be safe at school?
- Will I being singled out or teased?
- Will people listen to me if I am having a reaction?
- Will they know what to do?
Their parents, and even their teachers may also be apprehensive. Awareness within the school community keeps these children from being singled out and keeps them safe. It also helps school staff to feel in charge.
In the school setting, for example, here are some basic Do's and Don'ts that can help children to think about each other:
Do's
- Wash your hands after eating
- Watch out for things that could make your allergic friend sick
- Get help from an adult if you are worried about your friend
Don'ts
- Don't share food with a food allergic friend
- Don't share straws, drinks or utensils
- Don't tease someone with food allergies
Many school administrators and teachers ask the same questions:
- Will I be able to recognize an anaphylactic reaction?
- Will I know when to give the epinephrine auto-injector?
- Will I be able to give the epinephrine auto-injector?
- Where should our school store epinephrine auto-injectors?
- How old should a child be before they carry their own
epinephrine auto-injector?
- Should they be able to give it to themselves?
- How should our school handle peanuts and nuts?
Visit our school section to read the recommendations of the Canadian School Boards Association and the Canadian Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology and see how other schools have handled the same questions. There you will also find:
- A video demonstration of the epinephrine auto-injector
(coming soon)
- FAQ's from schools across the country
- Lesson plans for kindergarten to OAC
- School awareness activities
- Downloadable colouring and activity sheets, signs and awards
- Examples of school policies
- Position papers
- Access to local speakers
- Relevant e-mail news bulletins
- Information about products for schools: signs, videos,
books, epinephrine auto-injector trainers and more �
Canadian schools will be alerted about the new website when they receive the anaphylaxis school poster this September. The school poster simplifies the signs, symptoms and treatment of anaphylaxis and will help to keep these "top of mind".
Simple initiatives can go a long way. Is school awareness making a difference? YES! Check out our school section to see how.
Last date modified on Friday, April 7, 2006
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