If you have a child with allergies and keep an epi-pen on hand in case of an accident, you may be wondering how to always have it on hand without the cumbersome task of fussing with it whenever you leave the house. The good news is that there are some creative ways to keep your child’s epi-pen with you no matter where you go so that you can have the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ll be able to help if an allergic reaction should happen.
The best line of defense against an aggressive allergic reaction is always prevention, but young children aren’t always able to say ‘no’ to foods, products, or activities that may cause them problems. Until then, having an epi-pen on hand is a great way to deal with an allergic reaction. We’ve come up with some creative ways for you and your family to always have the medication you need with you wherever you go so that you can enjoy spending time with your children without the allergy worries!
Positive Association
If your child needs an epi-pen, make sure to spend time helping them create a positive and friendly relationship with it before it’s needed. The more comfortable your child is with their epi-pen, the more likely they will be to help you remember to have it on hand – and the more calm they will be in an emergency situation. Epi-pens can be really scary for children and their parents, so taking action now to lessen the stress is a great idea.
Consider dressing up your child’s epi-pen with a colorful cloth holder, glitter paint, or stickers. Children should never be allowed to keep their medications on their own, but it can be fun for them to know that the medications you hold for them have been dressed up a bit.
Several Options
Keeping more than one epi-pen is always a good idea. One at home, one with care takers or school administration, one in the glove box, and one in your purse or day bag ensures that no matter where you find yourself, you’ll have all the assurance you need. Medications do expire, so keep track of the pens you have and replace them as needed.
Storage
Many epi-pens are the perfect size to store in a hygiene wallet, purse, or backpack pocket. This makes it easy for you to have them on the go without having to deal with them directly all the time. Many parents have to pick up epi-pens by memory and carry them wherever they go along with wallet, keys, and glass. What a pain! Instead, just tuck your child’s epi-pen away in a bag you’ll already have with you when you head out.
You can also find cute epi-pen cases all over online!
Knowledge Is Power!
Make sure to take a few minutes to read the instructions that come with your child’s epi-pen, then educate the responsible caregiver’s in your child’s like about its proper use. Follow all guidelines for storage and expiration, and work closely with your child’s doctor and pharmacist to keep fresh medication on hand all year long.
Make sure where you store the epipens can be clearly identified as a first aid kit. If it doesn’t have the medial alert symbol it will be ignored by rescue and emergency personnel.