Village Asks Families To Keep Allergens Away From Playgrounds

MAMARONECK, NY — The Village of Mamaroneck Recreation Department is asking families to consider neighbors with potentially severe allergies when visiting local playgrounds.

Officials are asking parents and caregivers to help make playgrounds a safe place to play for children with food allergies by keeping food and drink containing the top nine allergens away from playground areas. Milk, wheat, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish and sesame were named as potentially dangerous foods to pack as snacks to be consumed near playground equipment.

The recreation department is asking everyone to help look out for each other by follow a few rules of thumb when visiting local parks:

• Eat at a designated picnic area to avoid contamination of playground equipment.
• Do not eat in the playground area.
• Do not offer food to other children without their caregiver’s permission.
• Wash hands or use a wet wipe after eating.

Eggs, milk, and peanuts are the most common causes of food allergies in children, with wheat, soy, and tree nuts also included, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish commonly cause the most severe reactions. The hospital's researchers say nearly five percent of children under the age of five years old have food allergies. From 1997 to 2007, the prevalence of reported food allergy increased 18 percent among children under age 18 years old. Although most children "outgrow" their allergies, allergy to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish may be lifelong.