Tips to Protect against Peanut Reactions

If your kid is allergic to peanuts or nuts, taking strict precautions can help avert a life-threatening reaction.

The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions:

• Ban nuts from your home, or take safety measures to avoid cross-contamination of foods.
• Avoid serving your child meals that you didn't make, or meals for which you haven't seen a complete ingredient list.
• Talk to all food service people in a restaurant about the nut allergy. Before you eat, make sure they're confident they can avoid cross-contamination.
• Prepare your child's snacks and meals for school, and for outings with friends.
• Have the child or caregiver carry an epinephrine pen. Prepare an action plan, in the event of anaphylaxis, for your child's teachers, principal or day-care workers.