Type 1 Diabetes: How to Prevent Emergencies

Key wellness & safety strategies (Type 1 diabetes emergencies at school)

Core prevention approach

Use two essential ingredients:

• The student’s care plan
• Clear communication between home and school

Top 5 actions to prevent emergencies

1. Check blood sugar according to the care plan.
2. Ensure meals and snacks happen on time.
3. Notify parents about planned changes to routines or activity levels (so insulin/food can be adjusted if needed).
4. React quickly at the first early signs of low blood sugar.
5. Report any low blood sugar events to parents after they happen at school.

Staff readiness

Make sure all school staff can:

• Recognize symptoms of low blood sugar
• Know what to do immediately

Also, post reminders (e.g., symptoms/steps) with information posters in staff rooms and classrooms.

Pattern-based prevention

• Identify blood sugar patterns over time.
• If lows occur around the same time for several days, parents may need to adjust insulin dose and/or meal plan.

Emergency kit readiness

Ensure the student always has access to an emergency kit, typically including:

• Supplies to check blood sugar
• Fast-acting sugars to treat lows
• Extra snacks
• Parents’ contact information

Kits may be located in multiple places or carried by the student so supplies are close by when needed.

Where to learn more

Encourages watching other videos on low blood sugar, severe low blood sugar, and high blood sugar for additional safety guidance.

Presenters / sources

• No specific presenter name or organization is mentioned in the provided subtitles.