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