Having multiple EpiPens® hanging around our house, in my purse, on my son, has all become second nature to us. William was diagnosed with an allergy to peanuts, tree nuts, dairy and eggs almost six years ago. We were blessed when he outgrew the diary and eggs over the past two years, but the nuts persist and may very well stay with him for the rest of his life. So, we are prepared.
Part of that preparation involves making William aware of his allergies and their severity, without scaring the heck out of him. We also have to keep ourselves up to date on any new information that comes along and our daughter, William’s older sister, is just as vigilant as we are. Any chance I get I talk to people about food allergies and how dangerous it can be. It is my experience that lack of awareness is what has lead to many children/teens/adults being accidentally exposed to their allergen and in some cases, death. Awareness is the key.
To that end the makers of EpiPen® have put out a free course to help the average person, whether you are directly affected by food allergies or not, learn to recognize the signs of a food allergy reaction, learn how to use an EpiPen® and when to use one. For over 25 years EpiPen® has been making epinephrine auto-injectors that save countless of lives every year. They just want to make sure we all know how to work with them to continue keeping food allergy sufferers safe.
This free and informative 20 minute interactive program will guide you through a series of three short videos, followed up with a quiz. With school almost back in session this is the perfect time for a refresher course for everyone to watch and participate in. Just click this link and get started.
Thank you for your participation. Awareness is key.
FT&PD
Suz
We also travel with an epi pen since my husband is allergic to shrimp. Happily we haven’t had to use it yet.
That’s great to hear Vanessa. I will happily pay for EpiPens we don’t have to use. 🙂
I have 2 EpiPens and thankfully I havent had to use them. I almost did, but went to the hospital instead. I was scared…which is stupid. I think more education is needed!
You’re right Randa, constant education is needed. We can’t rest.
When a parent finds out that their child is allergic I can only imagine the worry, stress and panic. Thanks for sharing the quick video’s. It was really helpful.
Thank you for checking them out Erica, I appreciate it 🙂
I can’t even begin to imagine how vigilant you and your family have to be. I think it is fantastic that you are sharing this information and that EpiPen has created this course because honestly, I have no idea how to properly use one. I’ll check out the video for sure!
That is great to hear Kelly, thank you!
That’s awesome! Everyone should know how to do this. My SIL is super smart with her kids – she keeps the expired epic pens and takes them into their schools and brings an orange along or a melon and then shows the staff and other key people how to use them in event they ever need to use on my niece or nephew. Such an important topic. I am glad to see that there is a quiz and an education campaign with this.
That is wonderful that your SIL goes into the school to show the staff how to use an Epi, Paula. It is surprising the number of professionals who do not know how to use one..
this was a great link to know about. so simple, yet such a potential life saver!
Thanks for checking it out Jan!
I always have 2 Epipens with me due to an allergies to Bee Stings and Latex. Luckily I have not had to use one yet but it is important to know how to use them if you do.
Exactly Judy! I am so glad you have not had to use yours and hope you never do.
When an employee started at my company with a severe peanut & bee allergy, we ordered the Twinject demonstrator epi-pen to train employees on how to use it. Education is key to perhaps saving someone’s life.
That is awesome to hear Nancy! Keep up the great work!
This is awesome. We all need to know how to use Epipens. Iit can be a matter of life and death.
Thanks for sharing this post and video,my neice has to carry a Epipen but thank goodness she has not needed it so far
More and more people have severe allergies and are carrying epi pens – an important life saver and easy to use.
I tell you education is the KEY!