creating - lynn public schools...trigger: animals with fur or feathers have dander (animal skin or...
TRANSCRIPT
TIPS FOR SCHOOL STAFFFRIENDLY
CLASSROOM
CREATINGAN ASTHMA
TABLE OF CONTENT
13 IDENTIFY AND REDUCE EXPOSURES TO ALLERGENS
REMOVE CLASSROOM PETSCLASSROOM TIPS
UNDERSTAND OTHER POSSIBLE ASTHMA TRIGGERS SUCH AS CHANGES IN WEATHER/TEMPERATURE: CLASSROOM TIPS
1314
4 COMMON ALLERGENS AND IRRITANTS FOUND IN THE CLASSROOM
3 WHAT IS ASTHMA?
EXPOSURE TO VIRUSES OR ILLNESSCLASSROOM TIPS
15CHANGES IN EMOTIONCLASSROOM TIPS16
5 KEEP IT CLEAN AND CLUTTER FREE
ELIMINATE FOOD STORAGE IN THE CLASSROM
CLASSROOM TIPS
REDUCE CLASSROOM CLUTTERCLASSROOM TIPS
IDENTIFY AREAS OF MOISTURE AND MOLDCLASSROOM TIPS
567
8
AVOID PRODUCTS THAT HAVE SCENTSCLASSROOM TIPS
AVOID CHEMICALSCLASSROOM TIPS
MAKE IT FRAGANCE FREE9
9
10
MAKE SURE AIR IS FREE AND FLOWINGCLASSROOM TIPS
OUTSIDE AIR CAN AFFECT YOUR INDOOR AIRCLASSROOM TIPS
CHECK THE AIR11
11
12
WHAT IS ASTHMA?
CLEAN ANDCLUTTER FREE
EXPOSURES/ALLERGENS CHECK THE AIR FRAGANCE FREE
WHAT ISASTHMA?
1 Chronic lung disease where the airways are “inflamed”
2 These inflamed airways are sensitive and react to things called “triggers”
3 When exposed to “triggers”, the airways of a person with asthma become narrower, allowing less air to get in and out of the lungs
4 “Triggers” can be allergens, irritants or indoor air pollutants
Asthma affects each person differently5
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COMMON ALLERGENS AND IRRITANTS
FOUND IN THE CLASSROOM:
STRONG ODORS, SUCH AS PERFUMES OR ROOM
DEODORIZERS
CLASSROOM PETS OR VISITING FURRY ANIMALS
UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE
DRY ERASE MARKERS
RUGS, MATS, NAP PADS AND/OR BLANKETS
PAINT AND GLUES
CHEMICALS FROM SCIENCE OR ART PROJECTS
CHALK DUST
CLEAN ANDCLUTTER FREE
E
KEEP IT CLEAN
AND CLUTTER
FREE
TRIGGER: Food, food spills and trash can attract rodents, cockroaches, and other pests. The droppings of these pests
can “trigger” an asthma exacerbation.
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CLASSROOM TIPS:
IF YOU MUST HAVE FOOD IN
THE CLASSROOM, STORE FOOD
IN CONTAINERS WITH A TIGHT LID
HAVE A DESIGNATED
“COVERED” TRASH CAN FOR FOOD GARBAGE
CREATE A “CRUMB AND
SPILL-FREE CLASSROOM”
BY DEVELOPING AN EATING AND CLEANING PLAN
CLEAN SPILLS AND CRUMBS BY THE END OF THE
SCHOOL DAY
KEEP IT CLEAN
AND CLUTTER
FREE
TRIGGER: Stacked paper, old projects and/or trinkets in the classroom invite dust. Dust mites
are microscopic creatures that live in dust and all types of fabric.
Dust mites are a very common “trigger” for those who have
asthma.
INVOLVE YOUR STUDENTS IN
ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CLEAN-UPS OR
RECYCLING TO DECREASE
CLUTTER
LIMIT THE USE OF BROOMS, AS THIS
WILL AGITATE DUST INTO THE AIR
MAKE SURE CLASSROOM
SURFACES ARE VACUUMED OR DUSTED REGULARLY
REMOVE OBJECTS SUCH AS STUFFED
ANIMALS, PILLOWS, AREA RUGS OR UPHOLSTERED
FURNITURE
CLASSROOM TIPS:
KEEP IT CLEAN AND CLUTTER FREE
TRIGGER: Mold can grow from wet areas within 48 hours if not
dried. The particles from mold can be dangerous and is a known “trigger”
for asthma.
CLASSROOM TIPS:
LOOK AT YOUR CEILING, WALLS, WINDOWS AND
UNDER CLASSROOM SINKS FOR WATER
DAMAGE OR MOLD
BE AWARE THAT PLANTS HAVE SPORES
AND THEIR SOIL CAN
BREED MOLD.
REPORT WET AREAS
IMMEDIATELY TO YOUR SCHOOL
CUSTODIAN
FRAGANCE FREE
TRIGGER: Strong smelling products such as perfumes, air fresheners, deodorants and/or other personal care products can “trigger” asthma symptoms or cause an allergic reaction. Other classroom products
such as white board makers, wipes or crayons may have scents as well.
MAKE IT FRAGRANCE
FREE
ELIMINATE SCENTED
PRODUCTS OR USE PRODUCTS
WITH LOW-ODOR
BE AWARE OF THE PRODUCTS
YOU USE IN YOUR CLASSROOM
PAY ATTENTION TO PERSONAL
CARE PRODUCTS AND SCENTS THAT
YOU MAY USE OR CIGARETTE SMOKE
ON CLOTHING
CLASSROOM TIPS:
UWIT
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Make it fragrance
freeTrigger: Many cleaning
products have strong smelling chemicals that can irritate the
airways of the lungs. Someproducts are bleach, ammonia,
cleaning wipes, and/or anti-microbial sprays.
USe LPS aPProved cLeaning ProdUctS
reMove or ProPerLy diSPoSe of any
cLeaning ProdUctS that coULd be a
PoSSibLe irritant
if yoU MUSt USe a ProdUct with a Strong odor, thiS ShoULd be done when no
StUdentS are in the cLaSSrooM.
USe aSthMa-friendLy ProdUctS
contact yoUr SchooL’S cUStodian
for a LiSt of aPProved cLeanerS
cLaSSrooM Tips:
CHECK THE AIR F
TRIGGER: When air is unable to move freely throughout the classroom, irritants or allergens can become trapped in the classroom. Temperature can affect asthma; classrooms should be at 72-76 degrees F.
CHECK THE AIR
REPORT ANY DIRTY OR NOISY
VENTS TO YOUR SCHOOL
CUSTODIAN
DO NOT CLOSE OR COVER VENTS,
THIS AFFECTS AIRFLOW
TO OTHER CLASSROOMS
CHECK ALL VENTS TO SEE THAT
THEY ARE OPEN, FREE OF CLUTTER
AND DUST
CLASSROOM TIPS:
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TRIGGER: Exhaust from idling automobiles, people smoking, or other outdoor
air pollutants such as pollen and/or smog can be pulled into the inside air by intake
vents or open windows. These outdoor irritants or allergens can “trigger” an
asthma exacerbation.
CHECK THE AIR
ENFORCE THE LPS NO IDLING POLICY
ENFORCE THE LPS SMOKE-FREE POLICY
KEEP WINDOWS CLOSED IF OUTSIDE IRRITANTS
OR ALLERGENS ARE PRESENT
CLASSROOM TIPS:
EXPOSURES/ALLERGENS
TRIGGER: Animals with fur or feathers have dander (animal skin or hair) which is a significant allergic asthma triggers
CLASSROOM TIPS:
INVEST IN ASTHMA
FRIENDLY CLASSROOM PETS
SUCH AS FISH AVOID PETS WITH FUR OR FEATHERS
IF YOU HAVE ANIMALS AT YOUR HOUSE BE AWARE
OF TRANSFER INTO YOUR CLOTHING
BE AWARE OF THOSE STUDENTS SENSITIVE
TO PETS WITH FUR OR FEATHER FOR SUCH
EVENTS AS FIELD TRIPS OR SCHOOL
ASSEMBLIES, SPEAK WITH THE SCHOOL
NURSE FOR A PLAN
INVEAST
IDENTIFY AND REDUCE
EXPOSURESTO ALLERGENS
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TRIGGER: Air temperature changes of 10 degrees (cold or heat) can affect asthma
IDENTIFY AND REDUCE
EXPOSURES TO ALLERGENS
UNDERSTAND OTHER POSSIBLE ASTHMA
TRIGGERS SUCH AS CHANGES IN WEATHER/
TEMPERATURE:
BE AWARE OF CHANGING
FROM HEATED TO COLD AREAS
ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO DRESS
APPROPRIATELY FOR THE
WEATHER, ESPECIALLY THE
USE OF SCARVES WHEN IT IS COLD
OUT
CLASSROOM TIPS:
EXPOSURE
TRIGGER: Illness or viruses that affect the airways such as a cold or the flu can significantly affect students with asthma.
ENCOURAGE PROPER HAND
HYGIENE
GET THE FLU VACCINE
ENCOURAGE PROPER COUGHING
TALK TO YOUR SCHOOL NURSE
ON WAYS TO DECREASE
EXPOSURE TO ILLNESS/VIRUSES
CLASSROOM TIPS:
CHANGESIN EMOTION
TRIGGER: Emotional reactions such as crying, laughter, excitement and/or stress
can be a possible trigger of asthma.
ENCOURAGE STRESS REDUCING
ACTIVITIES SUCH AS DEEP BREATHING OR
MEDITATION
BE AWARE OF THOSE STUDENTS
WITH ASTHMA
CLASSROOM TIPS:
Adapted from American Lung Associations’ Asthma Friendly Schools Initiative Tool Kit-Healthy Air Walkthrough Classroom Checklist and Boston Public Schools Promoting Healthy School Buildings