Triggers In Your School

Managing Asthma at School

What you can do

• Tell your child’s school nurse, teachers and coaches that your child has asthma.
• Give a copy of your child’s Asthma Action Plan to school personnel.
• Be sure your child has access to quick-relief asthma medication at school.
• Help identify and remove asthma triggers at school. 

Asthma Triggers in Schools

Many of the same triggers found in homes can also be found at school.

What you can do?

• Help your school become asthma friendly—Learn more
• Use this check list

Mold

Mold grows on damp things such as leaky pipes, basins and tiles.

What you can do?

• If you see mold at school, tell your child’s teacher.
• Be sure your school fixes leaky plumbing or other sources of water as soon as possible.
• Damp or wet items need to be dried out within 1-2 days.

Secondhand Smoke

Asthma can be triggered by the smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar, or the smoke breathed out by a smoker.

What you can do?

• Be sure your school is smoke-free—at school and at all school-sponsored activities, inside buildings and outdoors.

Pests

Cockroaches and other pests such as mice may trigger asthma attacks.

What you can do?

• Be sure your school has a plan for controlling pests.

Animals

Animal dander from furry class pets may trigger asthma episodes.

What you can do?

• Encourage your school to consider a no-pet policy.
• If pets are present, and this makes your child’s asthma worse, ask the teacher to keep the pets out of your child’s classroom.

Chemical Irritants

Chemical irritants found in some products in schools, including cleaners, paints, adhesives, pesticides, or air fresheners, may make your child's asthma worse.

What you can do?

• Encourage your school to limit the use of these products and to avoid using these products when children are present.
• Open windows, doors and use exhaust fans.

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