17 NovBe prepared for thunderstorm asthma season
The most recent Victorian DET ECEC corona-virus update newsletter reminds early childhood services of an increased risk of seasonal asthma, hay fever and epidemic thunderstorm asthma during the grass pollen season, which occurs between October and December.
The newsletter article lists a number of important steps that services can take to ensure staff and children are safe during the thunderstorm asthma season including:
• follow an up-to-date asthma action plan or hay fever treatment plan – encourage staff or children with a history of asthma or seasonal hay fever symptoms to see a GP if they don’t have a treatment plan
• ensure your service has an asthma emergency kit with in-date emergency reliever medication readily accessible (available over the counter from a pharmacy without a prescription)
• ensure that at least one staff member is trained in asthma first aid at all times and places that your service is operating
• monitor the VicEmergency App and on days when there is a heightened risk of thunderstorm asthma, avoid being outside and ensure windows and doors are closed until the risk reduces.
For more information, refer to:
• Asthma Australia for a free online learning course about thunderstorm asthma
• Better Health Channel for more about epidemic thunderstorm asthma.
