Food Allergies

10 Ways to Keep Children With Food Allergies Safe at Home, School, and While Traveling

10 Ways to Keep Children With Food Allergies Safe at Home, School, and While Traveling
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Published on January 17, 2025
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If your child has food allergies, you likely do everything in your power to avoid the foods that may cause an allergic reaction. But that isn’t always easy to do, especially when your child is at school or eating at a restaurant.

That’s why it’s important to be prepared by making sure your child (or your child’s caregiver) has at least a couple of epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) with them at all times. It’s also helpful to have your child carry an emergency action plan, which details what they are allergic to and what steps to take if they show signs of having a reaction.

“It’s a great thing for the other adults in your child's life, like their teachers, to be able to reference, especially if they’re unfamiliar with food allergies and when to use an EpiPen,” says Amanda Lee Pratt, MD, a pediatric allergy and immunology specialist at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.

Here are some additional measures you can take to help manage your child’s food allergy and stay safe at home, at school, and while traveling.

At Home

1. Reduce the Risk of Cross Contact in Your Kitchen

Cross contamination occurs when two foods come in contact with each other and mix.

 For example, if your child is allergic to peanuts and you dip a knife with peanut butter on it into a jar of jelly, they could have a reaction from eating the jelly alone, even if there’s only a small amount of peanut butter on the knife.

“To avoid cross contact, it’s important to clean surfaces before and after preparing meals and not allow your child to share utensils with others in your household,” says Christopher Codispoti, MD, an allergy and immunology specialist at The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.

2. Separate Unsafe Foods

Keep foods that aren’t safe for your child on a separate shelf in the pantry and refrigerator. It’s also a good idea to label them in case someone accidentally moves them to the wrong shelf.

3. Wash Your Hands Before and After Meals

If a family member touches a food your child is allergic to and then touches something your child handles regularly, such as a toy, your child could have a reaction when they come in contact with that object.

That’s why washing your hands is so important. “Every person in your household should wash their hands before and after meals to avoid transferring food allergens,” says Dr. Codispoti.

At School

4. Always Keep Epinephrine Within Reach

Your child should have their epinephrine with them at all times in case of an emergency. Keep a couple in their backpack, along with an antihistamine or inhaler, if they need it, says Codispoti. It’s also a good idea to include an extra copy of their emergency action plan.

5. Communicate With the School

“It’s important for every adult your child comes into contact with to know about your child’s food allergy and know where their EpiPen [or other epinephrine auto-injector] is,” says Dr. Pratt. Children who are 12 or younger are not expected to administer their own epinephrine, so an adult at their school — a teacher, school nurse, extracurricular activities supervisor — must be able to do it. Be sure to include the emergency action plan when you give the epinephrine to your child’s school.

6. Play It Safe With Lunches and Snacks

“If you want full control over what your kid eats, pack their lunch and snacks,” says Codispoti. You may also want to remind your child not to accept food from other kids, since they might be allergic to something in it.

If packing their lunch isn’t an option, ask the school to provide a separate meal for your child that is free of their allergens. “It’s the responsibility of the school to provide a safe lunch for your child,” says Pratt.

While Traveling

7. Pack Your Child’s Epinephrine Injectors in Your Carry-On

If you’re traveling by air, make sure your child’s epinephrine auto-injector is stored in your carry-on, so you have easy access to it in an emergency. Pratt recommends storing it in a clear plastic bag to make it easier to go through security. “You usually have to separate it from your other items, since it does have a needle,” she notes.

8. Choose the Right Restaurant

Depending on your child’s food allergy, some restaurants will be riskier to eat at than others. For example, if your child has a peanut allergy, it’s wise to avoid certain Asian restaurants, such as those serving Thai, Chinese, or Indian cuisine, because nuts are frequently used in their dishes.

Buffet-style restaurants and bakeries should also be avoided. The risk of cross contact and accidental exposure is high at these eateries.

9. Review the Menu Ahead of Time

Many restaurants have their menus online, so you can take a look and figure out which foods will be on the safer side, Codispoti notes.

If you’re traveling within the United States, consider dining at chain restaurants where you know which foods are safe for your child. (The ingredients and preparation at chain restaurants are usually the same at every location.)

10. Talk to the Waitstaff

Nowadays, many restaurants ask if anyone has a food allergy. But if they don’t, it’s important to let them know. “Be really clear with the waitstaff or even the manager about your child’s particular allergy,” says Pratt.

Don’t be afraid to emphasize how important it is to avoid cross contamination. And be sure to ask for a list of all of the ingredients in the dish and exactly how it’s prepared. If you don’t feel satisfied or comfortable with their answers, find another restaurant.

The Takeaway

  • Your child should have their epinephrine auto-injector and emergency action plan with them at all times in case of accidental exposure.
  • It’s important to avoid cross contact of foods both at home and at restaurants.
  • Communication is key: Whether your child is eating at a restaurant or school, it’s crucial to let others know about their food allergy and how a reaction can be avoided.
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Jon E. Stahlman, MD

Medical Reviewer

Jon E. Stahlman, MD, has been a practicing allergist for more than 25 years. He is currently the section chief of allergy and immunology at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta's Scottish Rite campus and the senior physician at The Allergy & Asthma Center in Atlanta. He served as the president of the Georgia Allergy Society, has been named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, and was listed as a Top Doctor by Atlanta magazine. His research interests include new therapies for asthma and allergic rhinitis as well as the use of computerized monitoring of lung function.

He received his bachelor's and medical degrees from Emory University. He completed his pediatric residency at Boston Children’s Hospital and his fellowship in allergy and clinical immunology at Harvard University’s Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. After his training, Dr. Stahlman conducted two years of clinical research at Boston Children’s Hospital and was part of the faculty at Harvard Medical School, where he taught medical students and allergy and immunology fellows.

Stahlman is board-certified and recertified in allergy and clinical immunology. He served as a principal investigator on phase 2 through 4 studies that are responsible for most of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved therapies for allergies and asthma available today.

Outside of the office, he centers his interests around his wife and three daughters, coaching soccer for many years, and his hobbies include cycling and triathlons.

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Abigail Libers

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Abigail Libers is a freelance writer and editor focusing on health, nutrition, and lifestyle journalism. Her articles have appeared in a number of publications, including O: The Oprah Magazine, SELF, SHAPE, Cosmopolitan, and Marie Claire and on Web sites such as FoodNetwork.com and Refinery29.com. When she's not writing, you can find her riding her bike, doing yoga, traveling, and experimenting with new recipes.

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Resources
  1. Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan. Food Allergy Research & Education.
  2. Avoiding Cross-Contact. Food Allergy Research & Education.
  3. Tips for Keeping Safe at Home. Food Allergy Research & Education.
  4. Dining Out With Children. Food Allergy Research & Education.