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Parents Resources

Nuts/Scent-FREE School Policy

Nuts-FREE School

We need your help as we strive to be a NUT-AWARE SCHOOL ! Please read ALL labels before sending in lunches and be sure that your child washes hands thoroughly before coming to school. Dangerous food for students includes all types of nuts.

Parents/guardians or students (if age appropriate) are responsible for

  • Informing the school Principal that their child is at-risk for an anaphylactic reaction

  • Completing the health information on the Student Registration Form

  • Considering the merits of their child wearing medical identification such as MedicAlert ®

  • Immediately informing the Principal if there is a change in medical diagnosis (i.e. if there are additional allergens of concern or the student is no longer at-risk for anaphylaxis)

Students are responsible for

  • Wearing medical identification e.g. MedicAlert® (http://www.medicalert.ca ), if available

Our Emergency Plan includes

  • Asking parents/guardians/students to supply information on life-threatening allergies

  • Identifying students at risk for anaphylaxis to staff

  • Posting the Anaphylaxis Student Posters in prominent but discrete locations accessible by employees

  • Making Epi Pens accessible to staff

  • Providing staff training

Signs and Symptoms - THINK F.A.S.T.

  • Face: itchiness, redness, rash, swelling of face and tongue

  • Airway: trouble breathing, swallowing or speaking

  • Stomach: stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea

  • Total-Body: rash, itchiness, swelling, weakness, paleness, sense of doom, loss of consciousness

Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis can appear alone or in any combination and not necessarily in the order listed above.

A Scent Sensitive Workplace

Due to the health concerns arising from exposure to scented products, staff and visitors are asked to be considerate in their use of such products when reporting in or visiting; they may be asked to refrain from using such products should this be required.

Can scents cause health problems?

Allergic and asthmatic patients report that certain odours, even in the smallest amounts, can trigger an attack. In addition, those persons with “multiple chemical sensitivity” may also be affected. The severity of symptoms can vary. Some people report mild irritation while others may be very severely affected and/or must give up ‘normal’ activities in order to avoid exposure to certain odours. When scented products have been blamed for adversely affecting a person’s health, some or all the following symptoms may be reported:

  • Headaches

  • Loss of appetite

  • Depression

  • Dizziness

  • Upper respiratory symptoms

  • Anxiety

  • Light-headedness

  • Shortness of breath

  • Nausea

  • Weakness

  • Difficulty with concentration

  • Fatigue

  • Malaise

  • Skin irritation

  • Numbness

  • Confusion

  • Insomnia

What types of products contain scents?

Scents can originate from a very large range of products including:
  • Shampoo & conditioners

  • Potpourri fragrances & perfumes

  • Lotions & creams soaps

  • Colognes & aftershaves

  • Deodorants

  • Oils

  • Air fresheners & deodorizers

  • Hair sprays

  • Candles industrial & household chemicals

  • Cosmetics

  • Cleaning products

It is important to remember that some products which claim to be ‘scent free’ may have only masked the scent by use of an additional chemical. We remind all visitors, students, and staff to limit their use of products with heavy scents.