Michigan Schools Train For Laws Requiring EpiPens

LANSING, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - Training is taking place to prepare every public school in Michigan to have epinephrine injectors to treat allergic reactions starting this academic year.

Gov. Rick Snyder last year signed laws requiring schools to have two epinephrine devices and ensure at least two staff members are trained to use them.

Some training is already taking place, Royal Oak Teacher Anna Falkiewicz went through a session at Beaumont Hospital last week.

"I have kids myself, and you worry about, if something were to happen and you don't know about it, is someone going to be there to help them," said Falkiewicz.

"There are obviously all different emergencies that we work on as teachers; fire drills, lockdown drills , obviously this is something just as important," said Royal Oak teacher David Potter.

The instruction includes recognizing when a student is having an allergic reaction.  Food allergies cause up to half of such cases.

Children can die if they don't get a dose of epinephrine to stop reactions to peanuts, for example.

EpiPens immediately deliver epinephrine into the victim's system, slowing the allergic reaction to give emergency personnel time to provide further treatment.

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