As the parent of a child with severe allergies, you are faced with many new challenges and concerns. Learning how to manage the risks and live safely begins with learning as much as you can about your child's allergy.

For all the basics about anaphylaxis please read Anaphylaxis 101 to help you get started. Following some simple strategies and sharing information with your whole family will help make safety a part of your daily routine.

What you need to know:

• All the different names for your child's allergen and where it might be hidden in foods. See a full list of allergens.
• To read food labels each and every time you buy something. Manufacturers can change their production process and alter their products at any time.
• How to use an epinephrine auto-injector such as an EpiPen® or Twinject®. Practice using a training device every few months with the whole family. To purchase a trainer see our product catalogue.

Good Practices:

• Have an Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan with instructions on how to treat a reaction.
• Make sure all family members know what to do in an emergency.
• Have an auto-injector available at all times and know where to find it. Never leave home without your child's auto-injector and any other medication prescribed by your doctor.
• Make a kit with all of your child's emergency medications. Keep it in the same place so everyone knows where to find it, such as on a hook by the front door.
• Have your child wear medical identification such as a MedicAlert® bracelet.