Safety Practices and Policies

Despite best efforts childhood injuries and medical emergencies still occur. Risk can be minimized by designing or adopting safety policies for the building, grounds, equipment and furniture where childcare is provided. It is the responsibility of childcare professionals to assure children’s safety as much as possible. Effective safety practices, for in-home care and out-of-home care, require a continuous awareness of developmental stages, individual child’s abilities, potential hazards, and preventive measures.
Infants and toddlers are at highest risk for injuries and medical emergencies. Even at preschool- age children still lack maturity, understanding and experience to explore their world safely. Preschoolers have a limited understanding of cause and effect. This makes them more vulnerable to environmental hazards. Some safety threats common to preschoolers are tools and equipment, poisons and burns, falls and injuries, drowning and traffic.
A safety policy for tools and equipment, in a preschool environment, is to store potentially hazardous tools and equipment in a safe place that is locked. Safe use of tool and equipment can be implemented into preschool curriculum. All medicines and cleaning products should be locked up as well. The use of non-toxic art materials can also be used to minimize poison and burn hazards.
Staff trained in risk Management should conduct daily safety checks, using a checklist designed specifically for their facility. Play areas, inside and outside, should be free of broken equipment and things like deep holes, trash and old appliances. A playground designed by guidelines recommended by professional safety authorities is another preventative step to cut down on these types of injuries.
Water safety begins with teaching the dangers of water. Swimming instructions should be provided if water play is a part of the curriculum. Total obedience is required as far as traffic rules are concerned. Traffic and car safety should definitely be a part of preschool curriculum.It is the highest cause of serious childhood injuries.
Families can minimize safety risk in the home environment by being well informed and supported in child safety matters (Tansey, 2006). Childcare professionals can provide safety information and advice for parents. Consistent role modeling of safety practices, by both teacher and parents, ensure awareness and understanding of the rules. Family members can be invited to participate in the development and design of center safety policies. Common understanding and agreements about facility safety practices reinforces the child’s acceptance of the rules and promotes safe behavior.
Safety training for adult caregivers might include risk management, emergency evacuations, first aide and CPR, water safety and the use of fire extinguishers. A safe environment is every child’s right and the least of our service to them. (Murray, 2009).
Cited References:
Tansey, S. (2006). Safety in Children’s Services: Quality Improvement and Accreditation
Systems. National Childcare Accreditation Council. Retrieved October 12, 2009, from http://www.ncac.gov.au/factsheets/qias_factsheet_%202.pdf

Murray, B. (2008). I Am Worth It (Chart). In B. A Murray, Butterfly Network Parent
Orientation Package (p.3). Bryan, Texas