[Tammyjh]

because he smelled like fish after eating his lunch. She is now on administrative leave. Thoughts?
Canada News: Newfoundland teacher sprays fishy-smelling student with air freshener - thestar.com

[Repti.Mom]

“I think my son was treated not like a human being — I think he was treated like a dog, or a cat . . . I’m very hurt and very angry over this.”

I don't know about you, but I don't spray my animals with air freshener either... Anyway, being on paid leave is stupid for anything that could be a punishable act. What the school decides to do with her is their decision.

[tiredmom]

That's a hard one because it sounds like she had good intentions (to limit other kids making fun of him because of the smell); but where she went wrong was doing it in front of other kids. I think that was probable just an error in judgement, and unless there is more to the episode, I don't feel like she should lose her job. She should probably just get some form of educations about how to limit child embarrassment and bullying. If she sprayed him in the face or did it in a demeaning way, then I would change my mind.

[plan4fate]

Originally Posted by tiredmom

That's a hard one because it sounds like she had good intentions (to limit other kids making fun of him because of the smell); but where she went wrong was doing it in front of other kids. I think that was probable just an error in judgement, and unless there is more to the episode, I don't feel like she should lose her job. She should probably just get some form of educations about how to limit child embarrassment and bullying. If she sprayed him in the face or did it in a demeaning way, then I would change my mind.

I agree.


here's an update on the story: UPDATE: School apologizes to mother of child covered with Febreze - Local - The Telegram

[Poncho06]

ITA. It seems when she took him out into the hall she was trying to do it away from the other children. Unless there is something else there it seems like she was trying to help the kid out.

Originally Posted by tiredmom

That's a hard one because it sounds like she had good intentions (to limit other kids making fun of him because of the smell); but where she went wrong was doing it in front of other kids. I think that was probable just an error in judgement, and unless there is more to the episode, I don't feel like she should lose her job. She should probably just get some form of educations about how to limit child embarrassment and bullying. If she sprayed him in the face or did it in a demeaning way, then I would change my mind.

[Tammyjh]

Originally Posted by tiredmom

That's a hard one because it sounds like she had good intentions (to limit other kids making fun of him because of the smell); but where she went wrong was doing it in front of other kids. I think that was probable just an error in judgement, and unless there is more to the episode, I don't feel like she should lose her job. She should probably just get some form of educations about how to limit child embarrassment and bullying. If she sprayed him in the face or did it in a demeaning way, then I would change my mind.

I agree. It sounds like she thought she was being helpful from what I read.

[K.A.T]

If it was air freshener over febreeze, an actual fabric spray, then she was wrong no matter what. However, if it was the fabric spray febreeze, she used it for what it's intended to be used for.

[plan4fate]

A family member (from Newfoundland) just put this on her facebook.

Celebrity's comment on incident: "The Talk" Chats About The Infamous "Febreze Incident" - YouTube

[GSLynn]

Febrese? The fabric freshner? I have done the same thing with my own kids. A quick spritz on the shirt leaves them smelling nice... I didn't see anything saying she did it maliciously, that she did it to to the kids' face, made fun of him, etc, so no I don't think she needs to be fired. Since there seems to be confusion whether or not it was an AIR freshener or not, then perhaps someone should get the story straight before deciding to punish her. FTR: I would never spray an "AIR" freshener on a kid.

[Fluffy Baby]

I don't think any teacher should be spraying any chemicals on any student, but that is just me......

[BittyBugsMama]

I was thinking she lysol'd a kid but febreeze, not a big deal to me.

[Fluffy Baby]

Febreeze is still a chemical. I don't know how people are ok with a kid being spritzed with a chemical he could have had a reaction to. I bet if he feel down in anaphylatic shock, people would feel differently.

[Hey... Where's Perry?]

I just bought 6 cans of air freshener spray today, and sprayed them on any kid that walked by me.

I'm kidding.


The only thing that bothers me is those sprays are gross if you inhale them. I would be worried that it could ignite some sort of allergic reaction in the child.

I'm also wondering why some people are ok with Febrezing a live human?

[Fluffy Baby]

The Dangers of Febreze - Sustainable Baby Steps

Febreze Ingredients

Below you'll find a list of just some of the 87 chemicals found by the EWG in Febreze Air Effects, listed in order of their toxicity to humans:

BHT - Known as a neurotoxin, endocrine disruptor, immunotoxicity, non-reproductive organ system toxicity, skin eye and lung irritator
Acetaldehyde - Known to cause cancer, toxic to reproduction and development, immunotoxin, non-reproductive organ system toxin, skin, eye and lung irritator
"Fragrance" - One of the three ingredients actually disclosed, it's a neurotoxin, immunotoxin and allergen
Propylene Glycol - Causes cancer, allergies, toxic to immune system, accumulates in the system, non-reproductive organ system toxin, is classified with "enhanced skin absorption" and irritates the skin, eye and lung
1,3-Dichloro-2-propanol - Carcinogenic (causes cancer)
Limonene - Allergen, immunotoxin and skin, eyes and lung irritator
Methyl pyrrolidone - Toxin to reproduction and development, allergen and immunotoxin, non-reproductive organ system toxin and skin, eyes and lung irritator
Alcohol denatured - Also disclosed in the ingredients of Febreze, it's linked to cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity and skin, eyes and lung irritator
Butylphenyl methylpropion al - allergen, immunotoxin and and skin, eyes and lung irritator
Ethyl acetate - linked to developmental/reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, organic system toxicity and and skin, eyes and lung irritator
Geraniol - Linked to allergies, immunotoxicity, organi system toxicity and and skin, eyes and lung irritation
Linalool - allergen, immunotoxin, and and skin, eyes and lung irritator
Benzaldehyde - neurotoxin, and skin, eyes and lung irritator
Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether - non-reproductive organ system toxicity
Ethylhezanol - developmental and reproductive toxin and skin, eyes and lung irritator
Hexyl cinnamal - allergen, immunotoxin and skin, eyes and lung irritator
And way too many more....

[GSLynn]

^ Ok...


If that's true (and I'm sure ANYTHING can cause reactions) they should NOT
*have air fresheners in the bathroom (inhalant)
*not use any soaps (chemicals)
*not clean with any chemicals, including bleach (which my neighbor and her dd are very allergic to)
*not use sanitizers on lunch tables between meals
*not use school products (i.e. dangerous thumb tacks, dangerous glues, etc.)
*definitely not use scissors can cut up someone in an instant
*Shouldn't use ink chemicals in ink are dangerous
*use LEAD pencils
*not put kids on the dangerous bus that uses dangerous diesel gasoline (among other chemicals on the bus that you don't see)
*apply sunscreen---full of chemicals that can cause allergic reactions
*apply bug repellent
*have a heating source (chemicals EVERYWHERE)
*allow children on swimming field trips (dangerous chlorine)
*allow children on ANY field trip...they could be exposed to dangerous things


There are so many products that can be dangerous to anyone. Why use anything at all? If Febreze is used on fabric, as intended, not on the kid's face or in the air, chances are slim he'd have a reaction. Those dangers are listed on products to protect the manufacturer if some idiot decides they want to breathe it in in it's pure form or drink it or something. Not because it's dangerous when used as intended---which in THIS case, sounds like she sprayed clothes, not the kid. I didn't see anywhere in the story where it said she sprayed his skin or anything like that.

If we worry about everything, we'll never do anything.

[Fluffy Baby]

Um, a teacher has no authority to spray a kid with chemicals. This was not the bathroom.

[GSLynn]

^if she had sprayed him in the face, I'd agree. However, she didn't spray His person. She only sprayed the fabric of the clothing on the outside not touching the skin. People are acting like she took the bottle and sprayed it up his nose, FFS

[Fluffy Baby]

It is not meant to be sprayed on clothing while somebody is wearing it. He could have had an reaction to it. It is NOT her place to spray him. I am not arguing for the death penalty here, but I am arguing that this was wrong. I would be pissed if it was my kid.

She is not the parent of the child. The parents would know if the kid had any sensitivities (in things like lotions, bug repellent, sunscreen, etc). This teacher was in the wrong.

[Mom2Froggy]

Originally Posted by Fluffy Baby

It is not meant to be sprayed on clothing while somebody is wearing it. He could have had an reaction to it. It is NOT her place to spray him. I am not arguing for the death penalty here, but I am arguing that this was wrong. I would be pissed if it was my kid.

She is not the parent of the child. The parents would know if the kid had any sensitivities (in things like lotions, bug repellent, sunscreen, etc). This teacher was in the wrong.

This. Despite the fact that it may not cause a reaction and febreeze can be used on fabric, it's not her place to decide to use it on a child that isn't her own. If she called the parents and they said she could do it, sure, do it. Otherwise... not her place. Put a school shirt on him, do something else, don't spray him with a chemical. NOT her place, end of story. I'd be LIVID if anyone sprayed my child with anything... even if it was perfume. Not. Her. Place.

[Fluffy Baby]

Thank you! I thought I was the lone nut here that would be upset for someone spraying my kid.