Emma Barnetson knows exactly who will be there to help in an emergency – Allergy Man.

The Our Lady of Mt Carmel student was runner-up in a State competition to raise awareness about food allergies organised by Anaphylaxis Australia and WA Health.

Emma, 12, created a poster teaching children what to do if someone has an allergic reaction to food.

It depicts a superhero named Allergy Man showing children how to help people who may have allergies.

Allergy Man tells students to make sure they wash their hands, to not share food with others and how to help in an emergency.

Anaphylaxis Australia vicepresident Sandra Vale said it was important for children to know what an allergic reaction was because peers were usually the first ones to notice an attack.

A student and staff member at Mullewa Catholic School are severely allergic to peanuts.

Another staff member is allergic to bee stings.

Peanut allergies are the most common food allergy. Ms Vale said this allergy was responsible for the most fatal attacks.

Emma won an iPod nano for her poster.

The overall winner of the competition poster category for years 4 to 6 was Harmony Hutton.

Around one in 10 children under the age of one have a food allergy.

Four to eight per cent of children under five have an allergy.

The most common food allergies are cow milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, sesame, shellfish and fish.

Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/gascoyne/a/-/news/13875537/an-unlikely-hero-saves-the-day/