Dez Loreen
Northern News Services
Friday, February 23, 2007

INUVIK - Because a number of students and staff have severe allergies to nuts, SAMS administration has declared the building "nut-free."

Three students and a teacher at the school have nut allergies.

Principal Janette Vlanich said the allergy is serious and the public needs to know about it.

"We currently have people in the school that have life-threatening allergies to nuts," said Vlanich.

"It is a very scary allergy because there are so many foods with nuts in them that we might not be aware of."

Last week a student had a slight reaction to a granola bar, but the student went home and recovered.

Vlanich said it is important for parents who pack snacks for their children to avoid products containing nuts.

"Read labels, look for the nut-free logo," she said.

Newsletters and handbooks have been altered to include information about the allergy.

"Some people don't know how sensitive the allergy is," said Vlanich.

"A reaction could be caused by someone who ate a peanut butter sandwich or a candy bar on the way to school and didn't wash his hands."

Vlanich said she wants to improve awareness of the allergy and inform parents.

"I think there is a lack of understanding in the general public about how serious this really is," said Vlanich.

"For some students, opening a jar of peanut butter could cause a serious reaction."

A reaction usually starts with the child breaking out in hives, and pain in the chest is also common.

"Children with the allergy need to be knowledgeable about foods and preparation," said Vlanich.

"It is a scary thing we have to look out for."

Trish Allen is a parent of a student with a nut allergy. She said keeping her son away from nuts is a full-time job.

"I'm always making sure my child does not come in contact with nuts," said Allen.

"I have to be careful of him in the classroom, around the school and at friends' places after school."

Allen said she is constantly checking to make sure her son doesn't have a reaction.

"Any contact with nuts could be deadly to him," she said.

At home, Allen said the house is totally nut-free and that every precaution is taken.

"We tell anyone who comes into the house to wash their hands," said Allen.

Cooking for her son is also a challenge.

"I read a lot of labels," she said. "Nothing can be processed in a plant with peanuts or tree nuts."

The school has posted signs banning nuts around the building on doors and in the hallways.