The Utah Department of Health says parents or guardians should:

- Fill out a "self-administration" form that allows capable children to carry and use inhalers at school, and a written "asthma action plan," which describes asthma triggers and what to do during an asthma attack. The forms are available online at http://health.utah.gov/asthma/schools/backtoschool.html

- Meet with teachers and the school nurse to go over the plans.

- Ensure child is up-do-date on flu shots.

In addition, a new health department report reveals the latest figures on how asthma affects Utah children.

The "Utah Youth Asthma Report" shows 9 percent had asthma in 2006, though the rates vary by county. Summit County children had the highest rates, at 10 percent, and Utah County the lowest, at almost 7 percent.

About one in five middle school students with asthma had to limit their activities or miss school.

Boys ages up to the age of 9 were more likely than girls to go to the emergency room and stay overnight in the hospital because of asthma.

Between 2001 and 2006, five children died from asthma.