Shelter-in-Place School Emergency

Some school emergency plans may include sheltering students and staff in place rather than evacuating them. Some schools may refer to this as a “lockdown” or “shelter-in-place,” where no one is permitted to leave the premises for a period of time.

Such emergencies may result from a disaster involving hazardous materials outside of the school, a threat of terrorism, or a natural disaster  (like an earthquake, tornado, or hurricane).  

Parents may be concerned that emergency plans do not take into account the special needs of students with medical conditions, including food allergy. Of concern is the risk posed to those with food allergy when the emergency food supply contains their allergen(s), for example, peanut butter, trail mix, crackers, and bread.  

Below are suggestions to ensure the safety of students and staff with food allergy during the event of a lockdown. Several of these suggestions are applicable to students or staff with other medical conditions that require access to specific foods and medications.  

Food

Schools should work with staff and parents of children with food allergy (and other medical conditions) to make sure there is enough safe non-perishable foods and medications during a lockdown.

• Every effort should be made to have everyone wash their hands with soap and water or use commercial wipes (not antibacterial gels alone) before and after eating. 
• Staff and parents of students with food allergy should provide a three-day supply of safe food in case the emergency food items are not safe, or the safe food runs low. 
• Schools should educate staff about food allergy--including how to respond to an allergic reaction--and make sure that each person with food allergy  has an ample supply of safe food. 

School emergency planners should consider placing stickers on food containers identifying the presence of common allergens. 

Medications

An emergency action plan that includes details on all medications provided to the school should include written instructions, signed by a physician, indicating how and when the medicine is to be administered during a reaction. 

• The school’s emergency plan needs to consider where medication is kept, who can administer it, and how to quickly give medical treatment.
• Schools may consider holding drills to make sure staff knows how to care for a student having a medical emergency. 
• Many people with food allergy also have asthma. Battery-powered nebulizers may be needed to treat asthma emergencies. 
• Proper disposal of exposed needles should follow current OSHA standards. 
• If allowable, an emergency bag filled with the student’s emergency care plan, medications, and written instructions should be created for each student with special medical needs. This bag would travel with the child at school and to school-related activities. 

For further assistance or information, please contact:

• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI
• The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
• National Association of School Nurses 
• National Association of Elementary School Principals
• National Association of Secondary School Principals 
• National School Boards Association 
• School Nutrition Association