SayPro Strategies for preventing or correcting safety hazards

Description

SayPro Strategies for preventing or correcting safety hazards

Below are some strategies you can use to prevent or correct safety hazards

Entrances and Exits

Steps and entrance ramps should have sturdy handrails with two levels for both child and adult use. Doors should remain unlocked (or have panic bars) so they provide easy access to and from the building. Hallways should be clearly lighted and remain uncluttered in case of emergency exit.

Windows

Children love to look out windows, but they can fall through open windows or screens or break through glass panes. You can create a barrier in front of low windows by securing plastic safety gate panels to the walls to form a “fence” in front of the window. Lock windows or attach window guards that limit the distance a window may open. To prevent head entrapment, windows should not open more than 3.5 inches.

Window coverings can also present safety hazards. Be sure to remove or securely tie any cords which could cause strangulation.

Floors

A young child can spot anything on the floor, and whatever it is, it will probably go in the mouth! Therefore, floors and floor coverings should be clean and free of debris or tripping hazards. Use carpet tape or rubber backing to prevent rugs from curling or slipping and carefully check for pins, staples, or other items which can hide in the carpet pile. Check floor tiles and baseboards for loose material, protruding nails, or splinters. Inspect carefully in corners and under furniture for paperclips, toy parts, and other small items.

Walls

Inspection of walls should include electrical outlets, wall coverings, bulletin boards, and pictures or decoration.

· First, all electrical outlets should be securely covered when not in use. While small “push-in” covers may meet licensing standards, they can become a choking hazard if a curious child removes them.

Outlets that will not be used can be covered with solid closed electrical plates, available at hardware stores. If an outlet is used regularly, you can install a hinged or screw-in outlet guard that also covers the electrical cord end.

· Pictures and wall decorations should be lightweight and securely fastened to the walls. Posters and artwork should be laminated or framed in lightweight plastic frames, rather than heavier wood and glass frames. Be sure that posters and other flammable coverings are well away from heat sources or electrical outlets.

· Bulletin boards should be securely fastened to walls with screws or other hardware installed into the wall studs. Staples, thumbtacks, and putty are not appropriate for child care because these items often end up in a child’s mouth. To decorate bulletin boards, you can cover them with coloured paper and staple around the edges, then completely cover the line of staples with wide, clear packaging tape. This will prevent staples from being pulled out. Then, attach several wide strips of clear self-adhesive plastic or clear packaging tape to the board. Children’s artwork or parent information can then be securely taped to this strip, yet easily removed without damaging the board or decoration.

· Check around each room for hot pipes, heating units, or radiators that can burn a child. Work with your local fire marshal to determine the best way to prevent access to hot items. For example, pipes can be wrapped with approved insulating tape. Fireplace screens may prevent access to radiators or heating units. Never place furniture or flammable objects near hot items!

Ceilings

Many people never look up at the ceiling. If your room has removable ceiling tiles, check to be sure all are securely in place. Roof leaks can damage tiles and they can crumble and fall when you least expect it. Light fixtures should be properly wired, securely fastened to the ceiling, and inspected regularly. Smoke detectors are often placed on the ceiling, and these should be tested monthly.

Artwork, mobiles, and other decorations hung from the ceiling must be very lightweight and avoid strings or cords that can strangle a child. Live hanging plants are not recommended because they are heavy and watering can allow fertilizer and other chemicals to drip to the floor. Artificial plants in lightweight plastic pots are best for hanging.

Furniture

· Check all furniture for loose or protruding screws, nails, hinges, latches, or broken hardware. Furniture should have rounded edges and corners; you can use a sander or router to modify older furniture. Sand surfaces that are rough or splintered, repair cracks, and be sure surfaces are covered with non-lead based paint or varnish. Check doors, legs, joints, and other parts for stability.

· Shelves, chests with drawers, and storage cabinets should be securely bolted to walls so they will not fall, even if a child tries to climb it. Self-standing furniture, such as bookshelves used for room dividers should be short and have wide bases to help prevent toppling. Drawers should have “stops” so they cannot be pulled out too far and fall on a child.

· While you are checking the shelving and furniture, look for objects which could fall and injure a child. As children jump and play, heavy objects can “move” on shelves, ready to fall when you least expect it. Radios, televisions, and electrical appliances should be anchored to the shelf or table, with the cord well out of children’s reach.

Cribs

Cribs require special inspection. The crib can have several hazards, including crib design, bedding, toys, and positioning of the infant. There should be no loose, broken, or protruding brackets, screws, or other hardware. If you must repair a crib, be sure to use hardware (screws, bolts, etc.) that match the original hardware. To prevent strangulation, there should be no more than 2 3/8 inches between crib slats; corner posts should not protrude more than 1/16 inch; and cribs should not have cut-out areas or carved wood or plastic on the headboard or footboard.

Mattresses should be firm and fit snugly within the crib frame, and sheets should fit tightly without risk of coming loose. Do not place heavy blankets, pillows, or stuffed toys in the crib.

Toys and Supplies

Check blocks and other toys for rough or sharp edges, splinters, chipping paint, or other signs of wear. Repair broken toys if possible, or throw them away. Check toys for small or loose parts or parts that can be broken off. Young children can easily choke on small parts.

Storage Closets

Storage closets, garages, workshops, and outer buildings can contain a multitude of hazards. Be sure these areas are inaccessible to children at all times. Don’t rely on supervision – install a lock.

Bathrooms

If possible, bathrooms should have child-sized fixtures. If not, then sturdy stools with wide, non-slip bases may be needed. Children’s skin burns easily so hot water temperature should not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Clean up water spills immediately, and check under sinks for toxic or dangerous items. Toilet bowl cleaner can be deadly.

Kitchens

Children should not have access to kitchens, and certainly not when hot foods are being prepared.

However, in some facilities, such as home child care, the kitchen is accessible so you must make it as safe as possible.

· Knives and other sharp objects should be stored well out of children’s reach

· electrical cords should be out of reach on counters

· stoves, refrigerators, and appliances should be securely positions on the floor to prevent tipping over; and

· again, check under the sink for dangerous substances or items.

General strategies:

a) Be prepared for injuries. Have at least one person with up-to-date training in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on site at all times.

b) Check for drawstrings around the hood and neck of children’s outerwear and clothing. Recommend to parents that they purchase clothing using fasteners, such as snaps, zippers, and hook and loop fasteners (such as Velcro).

c) Teach children how to properly use scissors and other supplies.

d) Supervise classroom pets when they are around children.

e) Make sure all electrical outlets contain safety caps.

f) Watch toddlers when using natural environmental play materials like water, sand, earth, plants, and flowers to keep them from putting these materials in their mouth. Teach children that only food should be put in the mouth.

g) Check all games and puzzles for possible choking hazards.

h) Post a current list of recalled children’s products on a bulletin board for both parents and teachers to see. Make sure that no recalled products are being used.

i) Properly install and maintain all playground equipment. Check for loose screws and jagged metal on slides or swings.

j) Put at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand or pea gravel, or mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials under and around all outdoor play equipment. (This type surface absorbs shocks when falls occur and lessen the occurrence of head or limb injuries.)

k) Make sure the playground is free of broken glass or other objects that could pose a safety hazard to young children.

l) Teach children how to use playground equipment safely (such as going down the slide feet first).

m) Ensure that all indoor and outdoor play equipment suits children’s ages and developmental abilities.

n) Position adults near outdoor equipment that moves during recess. All adults should have a clear view of the playground at all times.

o) Teach children to practice safe and appropriate behaviour and to know and use designated play areas.

Checklist

Child care safety is an important issue because young children explore their world with all their senses, including touching and mouthing anything within their reach. For this reason, it is very important to remove any potential hazards within their reach. Here are some child care safety questions to consider:

· Are there any areas that are accessible to the children that are not visible to the caregiver from any point in the space? If so, rearrange furniture or use mirrors to make these areas visible.

· Are all unused electrical outlets covered? These pose an electrocution hazard and must be covered.

· Are there any cords accessible to children? These can be both an electrocution and strangulation hazard. Secure the cords to prevent children from pulling them or move cords to make them completely inaccessible.

· Are there any push-pull toys with strings longer than ten inches? These can become entangled and be a strangulation hazard. This also applies to cords on window blinds.

· Do any toys, including stuffed animals and dolls, have small parts that could break off and become a choking hazard? Make sure you have age appropriate toys. Dolls or animals with button eyes or noses, for example, are not appropriate for infants and toddlers.

· Are all potentially dangerous items stored out of reach? These items may include disinfectants and other cleaners, scissors, caregivers’ personal belongings.

· Is the furniture in the space age-appropriate? Children’s feet should touch the floor when sitting in a chair. If chairs are too tall for children, they are more likely to fall while climbing into or out of the chairs.

· Is a no shoe policy in place for infant/toddler programs? Germs and dirt entering the environment can be very hazardous for children who spend much of their time on the floor. Surgical booties can be worn over shoes to prevent this.

· Do children have unsupervised access to any body of water, whether it is a swimming pool, bucket, or water table? All children should be closely supervised around any body of water. Very young children can drown in a few inches of water.