Hazards and Prevention

There are many potential hazardous situations and safety threats common to children of various ages. Some are more common among specific age groups. A child’s cognitive and physical abilities along with age, gender, and developmental level all play a role when it comes to safety. I chose the preschool age group. Some potentially hazardous situations and safety threats common to this age are poisoning, drowning, choking, burns, and motor vehicle and other transportation accidents.

Some of the safety policies at my center include keeping chemicals and other poisonous materials out of the children’s reach, not using chemicals around children, and not bringing in any of our own chemicals, because all are kept in a log with specific information in case of an emergency or if someone develops a reaction. Anytime we use water in our water tables in must be immediately emptied after use, and children are never left unattended this is to help prevent drowning. Any spills or liquid on the floor must be cleaned up immediately to prevent falls. Checklists are filled out for cleaning, maintaining toys and furniture, and ensuring all safety devices are being used, such as outlet covers. Toys must be age appropriate and we check for any broken or small pieces. If toys are age appropriate then there should not be any small pieces that could cause a child to choke. We have an evacuation floor plan posted in each class with two means of egress, and practice fire drills frequently, by doing this we are being prepared in case any fire does occur. We would know what needs to be done and how to get the children out safely as possible to prevent anyone from getting burned. Certain foods are not allowed to be served like hotdogs or grapes due to it being a choking hazard. Plants or flowers are allowed to be kept in the room this way we can help prevent children from coming in contact with a poisonous plant and any allergies. All personal belongings must be locked in a cabinet out of the children’s reach. This is done to prevent many injuries it could be from poison like aspirins or medications staff may have in their belongings or any lighter and matches to prevent burns, there could even be small things that children could choke on.

Rooms should be inspected from a child’s view to help identify possible dangers, and modified accordingly. By ensuring proper safety devices are being used and maintained it could also help prevent injuries like burns. Other things that can be done are by role modeling safe behaviors, and role playing. For instance you can setup pretend situations so the children can practice stop, drop, and roll or crawling low to the floor. Staff to child ratios should also always be in compliance to help ensure proper supervision. Cleaning materials should be locked away or out of children’s reach to help prevent accidental ingestion of the chemicals which are poison. By modifying the times children do certain activities during the day you can help prevent injuries like falls, because children are more tired late in the morning and in the early afternoon. The room should be setup in a way that allows for proper supervision, prevents collisions, and allows plenty of movement. Choking injuries can also be prevented by frequently vacuuming and wiping down surfaces. Vehicle related injuries can be prevented by ensuring the use of proper child safety restraints according to their height and weight. The child’s seat should be properly installed and facing the appropriate way. Any vehicle transporting children should have a first aid kit equipped with a fire extinguisher and tools for changing tires.

Families can ensure their child’s safety at home by using proper safety devices such as, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, gates at stairs and other dangerous entryways, car seats, outlet covers, window guards and barriers. They can also keep all poisonous chemicals and medications out of reach, firearms unloaded and locked away and sharp items out of reach. Families should practice fire drills together including escape routes and meeting places. Always turn pot handles toward the back of the stove, keep electric cords out of reach, as well as lighters, matches and cigarettes. Be cautious of plants around and any amount of water, whether it is a bucket or a pool. Children should not be left alone in the bath tub and it is always a good idea to turn the cold water on first when running the water for a child. Children should wear helmets when riding bicycles to prevent injury. These are just some of the things that families can do to help ensure their child’s safety at home.