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Health & Safety
Support Network
INJURY PREVENTION
In addition to preventative health practices and polices, injury preventative practices and policies will also impact the number of injury incidents, which may occur in child care group settings. And remember most injuries are preventable!
TIMES WHEN CHILDREN GET HURT
- When caregivers are distracted, busy or absent
- When children are not involved in planned activities
- In early morning and late afternoon
- During field trips.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT INJURIES
- Create Safe Spaces and Use Preventative Strategies
- Eliminate hazards
- Look through the eyes of a child
- Conduct regular safety checks
- Supervise
- Teach Children Safety
- Use teachable moments
- Integrate safety into curriculum
- Be a positive role model
- Be sure children understand your messages
- Provide opportunities for dramatic play
- Stock reading shelves with safety themed books
TEN TIPS FOR PLAYGROUND SAFETY
- Supervise Children
- Check Equipment
- Avoid Unnecessary Heights
- Use Soft Surface for Ground Cover
- Keep Equipment Away from Traffic Areas
- Keep Equipment Age-Appropriate
- Record/Conduct Daily Maintenance Checks of Playground Area and Equipment
- Separate Play Areas
- Fence Off from Dangerous Areas
- Teach Children “Rules.”
SUMMER AND WINTER SAFETY
Children need opportunities to play outside. However, additional safety precautions do need to be considered when children are outside during the summer and winter months. The younger the children, the harder it is for their bodies to adapt to temperatures.
Summer Safety: Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses
Winter Safety: Winter Preparation
BITING
Although biting isn't "abnormal" in the sense that one out of ten toddlers and two-year-olds does it, it is a disturbing and potentially harmful behavior that parents and educators must discourage from the very first episode.
Dealing with Biting Behaviors in Young Children (Early Childhood and Parenting -ECAP-Collaborative)
Fact Sheets for Families: Biting [PDF] (California Childcare Health Program) http://www.ucsfchildcarehealth.org/pdfs/factsheets/bitingen011804.pdf
Biters: Why They Do It and What to Do About It (National Association for the Education of Young Children)
ADDITIONAL TOOLS AND RESOURCES
Bed Bugs – What You Need to Know (PDF, 89.78 KB)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Conflict Resolution in the Early Childhood Education Classroom from the World Association of Early Childhood Educators
Healthy Child Care Publication: Safety in Childcare
Healthy Schools Act of 2000 Extended to Child Care (PDF)
Integrated Pest Management of Ants (PDF, 102KB)
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of Mosquitoes in Early Childhood Education (ECE) Settings (PDF)
Integrated Pest Management of Rodents in ECE Settings (PDF)
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of Yellowjackets in Early Childhood Education (ECE) Settings (PDF)
Choosing Safe Toys: Tips on Toys
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