On this page
Always have at least one adrenaline (epinephrine) injector available to the person at risk of anaphylaxis at all times.
It is important to keep a copy of the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis with the adrenaline injector. The action plan is a tool to help you recognise and treat anaphylaxis. Even if you are experienced in managing anaphylaxis, the action plan can be used by other people to help you should you not be able to treat the reaction yourself.
When at home
- Keep the adrenaline injectors in the same place whenever the person at risk of anaphylaxis is at home.
- Choose a place that is easy to get to but safely out of reach of young children or people with developmental needs.
- Everyone in the household should know where to find it in an emergency.
- Consider hanging it on a hook near the front door or leaving it on a bench or shelf in the kitchen or lounge room.
- As well as keeping a copy of your ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis with your adrenaline injector, many people also like to keep a copy of their ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis on the fridge at home where it can be easily seen.
The adrenaline injector and ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis should be taken with the person when leaving the house and returned to that place when the person at risk returns home.
Away from home
When away from home, your adrenaline injector and ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis must always be available to the person at risk of anaphylaxis. Accidents are never planned so you need to always be prepared.
Adrenaline injectors should be kept:
- At room temperature. Adrenaline should be stored between 15 and 25°C most of the time
- Out of direct light
- In an unlocked, easy to get to place (out of reach of small children)
Remember: Keep it where you would “keep” a person:
- Do NOT store it in a car.
- Do NOT store it in the fridge (as this can affect the mechanics of the injector)
- If you know you are going to be out in the sun for an extended time on a hot day (for example, at the beach, camping or at a sporting event or when working outside) think about where to keep your adrenaline injector:
- Try to keep it in the shade
- If you keep it in a cooler or esky do NOT place it directly on ice or an ice pack
- A MedActiv Cooling Wallet or a Frio Wallet can help maintain the adrenaline injector at the correct temperature for up to 5 days
Adrenaline injectors at the snow
Adrenaline is best kept between 15° and 25°C (room temperature). While out on the slopes, A&AA suggests you keep your adrenaline injector and ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis together in the inside pocket of your ski jacket. If you don’t have a pocket big enough, try wearing a bumbag or storage belt between your ski jacket and base layer. The heat of your body will help make sure the adrenaline injector doesn’t get too cold. You can also use a temperature-controlled pouch such as MedActiv or a Frio Wallet . Remember:
- Do not place your adrenaline injector directly on the snow as low temperatures can affect the injector mechanism.
- Before you put your ski jacket in the warm drying cupboard, take out your adrenaline injectors!
Find more information below about how to keep adrenaline injectors at childcare, school or work.
More about adrenaline injectors
Preparing for an emergency
Learn more about preparing for a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and what to expect if you or a loved one experiences anaphylaxis.