Allergies at home
There is a good chance you are allergic to something - according to the CDC, more than 25% of adults and children in the United States are allergic to at least one thing. Both adults and children come in at around 6% of the population suffering from food allergies in particular. Luckily the education around allergies in the community has increased - people are more aware of how they can not only live with allergies themselves, but also accommodate those in their lives that face them every day.
As an organizer with both food and environmental allergies, I can appreciate the importance of educating those around me. While we severely limit any presence of my allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, soy, mango, cats….the list goes on) in our home, it isn’t possible in every situation. How can we support those we love while maintaining an organized and efficient home? Let’s take a look at some ways we can make our home more allergy-friendly:
Label! Make sure that any foods that are decanted are clearly labeled. For example, if you pour your grains into airtight containers, you could cut out the nutrition label and tape it onto the back or bottom of the jar.
Dedicate a space for allergens in your pantry. If you decide to have food in your home that contains allergens of a family member, consider containing them all to one area. A dedicated shelf or bin will ensure clarity of where your allergic family member should steer clear. Additionally, creating a space for known safe snacks is a great way to support and encourage safe eating!
Prevent cross-contamination. When I was growing up we had a “jelly first” rule in our home. My family members could make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but the knife always went in the jelly first (keeping it uncontaminated for my use), then the peanut butter. I’m pretty sure my sisters still use the same rule in their homes! Keep in mind that other high risk spots for cross-contamination include the kitchen sink, sponges, and cutting boards. Cloth napkins could also be a hazard in a home with allergens present. At a recent client’s home, they had a separate toaster for their gluten-free bread. It is located on the opposite side of the kitchen as the other toaster to ensure there is no mistaking which one to use (or not use!). A color-coded label or even washi tape for gluten-free (or gluten containing) containers would be another way to prevent confusion as to which is which (most flours look a lot alike and can be easily confused).
Communication & Education. Continually educating and reminding family members of risks can be of significant help in a household with allergens present. The importance of washing hands, communicating the presence of any new allergens in the home, and practicing using tester Epi-Pens (or Auvi-Q) are examples of how we can protect our loved ones. Get in the habit of asking guests to your home if they have any food sensitivities or allergies so you can accommodate them accordingly. Organizations like Spokin and FARE are great resources for learning more about specific allergies, safe foods, and ways to navigate life with an allergy.
Meal Prepping. Preparing meals that contain allergens all at one time can ensure one thorough cleaning & high awareness of exposure risk. For example, making PB&J every day produces more risk of cross-contamination compared to making 4 or 5 at a time and storing them in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Access to medications. Keep allergy medications easily accessible and readily available at all times. All family members should know where the Epi-Pens are and how to use them. My family and friends know that I keep mine in my purse 99% of the time (with another set in the kitchen). If I’m without my purse, I let them know where it is. If you' aren’t sure - ask! They will never feel more loved or cared for :)
Feeling safe at home is as important as being fed and warm. I hope that some of these ideas encourage you to be mindful of helping everyone that walks into your home feel welcome and protected.
If you haven’t already, please sign up for my enewsletter (coming soon!) and receive my free editable monthly reset checklist as my gift to you! It’s a great way to stay on task with chores and check-ins that may slip off your radar from month to month! Click here to sign up!