Safety Practices and Policies

Safety is a very crucial aspect of all child care programs, no matter what age group the programs service. I chose to focus on the risks for injuries associated with the developmental level of preschoolers. I currently work with the three-year-old children and am familiar with safety issues, practices, and policies relating to this age group.

There are many potential hazardous situations and safety threats that are common to the preschoolers. The situations and threats that I am focusing on include choking, poisoning, temperature, burns, and bites/stings. These are the situations and threats with which I have the most experience. Each of these threats are taken very seriously within our Head Start center, and has a safety policy on how to prevent threats and to deal with situations.

Choking
Choking is a common threat among the preschoolers. Safety policies surrounding this threat include the following: examining toys for age appropriateness, performing the “film canister” test (if an object will fit inside a 35mm film canister, it is considered a choking hazard and should not be within the reach of children), and inspecting the classroom/playground for possible choking hazards.

These policies also define some of the measures that should be taken to prevent choking. Another prevention method includes banning foods that pose a choking hazard from the menu. Foods that pose a hazard include hot dogs, popcorn, grapes, cherries, and peanuts. If a child is choking on food or an object, abdominal thrusts should be performed until the object is coughed up, or until the child becomes unconscious (Robertson, 2007). If the child becomes unconscious, CPR should be performed while someone calls 911.

Families should be aware that choking is a very serious threat, even in the home. Families should know the policies of the child care center, and incorporate these policies within the household. Parents should have the knowledge to inspect their home for choking hazards, to examine toys for age appropriateness, and which foods pose a choking threat to their children. Offering first aid training would be effective in extending this knowledge to parents.

Poison
Poisoning is common threat that can be lethal if not prevented or dealt with appropriately. The safety policy and measures to prevent poisoning includes inspecting the classroom and playground for poisonous plants, storing cleaning supplies in a locked cabinet, and leaving any medicine at home. If medicines should be brought to the center, they should be locked up, and should not be taken or given in the view of the children. In the event that poisoning does occur, the Poison Control Center should be called right away. Any instructions given by them should be followed. Families should have the knowledge about the potential hazards surrounding poisoning, and how to prevent it. The Poison Control Center phone number should be a common household necessity.

Temperature
The weather can pose a safety threat to young children, and our policy surrounding this threat is based on the Tennessee State Licensing and Regulations. Children should be exposed to different types of weather. The limitations for outdoor play includes high wind advisory and temperatures below 32 degrees and above 95 degrees Fahrenheit (Tennessee regulations, 2008). During these weather conditions, children are not to be outside.

The measures taken to prevent temperature threats include keeping the children inside during the previously mentioned weather conditions. The measures taken to deal with temperature issues are as follows: heat exhaustion – place child in a cool, shady place and offer lots of liquids to drink; frostbite – warm the area affected by soaking in warm, not hot, water; hypothermia – move child out of the cold, remove wet clothing, and give him something warm to drink (Robertson, 2007). Families can follow the same procedures that are stated in our policy to ensure the safety of the children in their home.

Burns
Burns are not very common for our center, but they are common for the age group with whom we work. Our safety policy on burns includes no smoking around children, no lighters or matches, and cover electrical outlets. The policy is also the measures taken to prevent burns, along with measures such as teaching children to avoid lighters and matches, incorporating fire safety in the curriculum, and practicing fire drills on a regular basis.

Measures taken to deal with burns are as follows: stop the burning by removing child from the area and put out the fire. Cool the burn by flushing with water. When the burn has cooled, cover with a dry, clean, and sterile dressing. Call the child's parents and suggest they take the child to a physician (Robertson, 2007).

Bites/Stings
Animal bites and stings are rare at our center. Human bites, however, are very common. Our policy states that if a child bites and it is the first offense, the teacher explains to the child that biting hurts and is not allowed. The child is observed to help understand what caused the behavior to prevent future incidents. If the child bites a second time, a parent/teacher conference will be held to discuss the behavior and the policy. If the biting continues, the child will be temporarily excluded from Head Start services for the safety of other children in the classroom.

The measures taken to prevent biting include the following:

• Plan activities that allow children to release frustration.
• Provide biting substitutes such as teether, wet wash cloths, etc. for toddlers.
• Provide age appropriate toys which stimulate interest and decrease frustration or boredom.
• Talk to the children about rules for sharing.
• Make sure there are plenty of toys and ample space for the amount of children.
• Have plenty of adult supervision.
  (When a Child Bites, 2000)

The measures taken to deal with a biting incident, whether human or animal, include washing the bite area with soap and water, and applying ice to the area. If the bite has broken the skin, cover with a sterile dressing and contact parent or physician. Measures taken to deal with stings include removing stinger with tweezers and washing the area with soapy water. If an allergic reaction occurs with a sting, call 911, or administer an Epipen if one is available.

All of these safety threats are common among the preschool age group. Each threat requires attention and prevention methods. In order for the families to ensure the safety of the children at home, the teachers and other staff members need to relay to the families any information on each of the threats. The families can then follow the same procedures as the child care centers, therefore working in partnership with teachers to ensure safety of the children.

References

Robertson, C. (2007). Safety, Nutrition, & Health in Early Education (3rd ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning.

Tennessee regulations: Chapter 1240-4-3 Licensure rules for child care center. (2008). National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. Retrieved March 1, 2009 from http://nrckids.org/STATES/TN/tn_9-3-06.htm#0_pgfId-1007730

When a Child Bites (Biting). (2000, July). CAS/Morgan County Head Start Parent Handbook. Early Childhood Development & Health Services, 1235, 38-39.