Safety Practices and Policies

Safety Practices and Policies

When working with children and their families professional must be aware of the
hazards/safety threats in their environment. They should have a clear set of policies and practices that ensures safety for the children. Early childhood professionals should be able to communicate those safety measures to families to help them become aware of safety practices that can be put in place in their homes.

Falls from playground equipment is common among children in the preschool age
group. Equipment structure should be no ore than 51/2 ft tall. Structure taller than that can cause serious injuries. Staff-child ratio is 1 staff to every 10 children. Surface should be resilient and cushioned under and around equipment. Children of this age group over estimate their abilities and should be reminded of the proper use of equipment. They should be given guidelines for use of outdoor equipment and those guidelines should be stressed constantly. As measures of safety, surfaces should be checked for glass and debris daily. Teachers are to be attentive to children at play at all times.

Parents should be ware of the many dangers in their children’s play area and be
prepared to address them. The teacher can display informational fliers/handouts on
playground equipment and safety guidelines for parents take. Parents can place ample
cushioning in play areas and under equipment in the home to help avoid injuries. They
can pay attention to protruding roots, inspect are for glass and debris and address
concerns as they see them.

Common items that can poison children are; cleaners, medicines, plants. pesticides and cosmetics if swallowed. They should be put up high in a locked cabinet,
out of reach of children. Things should be kept in original containers and tops should be childproof. Environments should be free of toxic plants that can cause rashes. These plants should be removed and placed in a bag that is tightly closed and disposed of. To ensure safety, environments should be inspected from a child’s view. Children are to be supervised at all times. Parents and staff can be educated about poison control and what to do in case of emergency. Informational handouts from poison control centers and police departments can be distributed to parents. Emergency numbers are to be placed near the telephone.

Lack of supervision is a major safety threat for children in this age group. The
staff–child ratio is 1 adult to every 10 children. Supervision is important with this group even though it appears children need less supervision than they did before. When children are well supervised they tend to be more cautious in their actions to be risk takers. Activities should be developmentally appropriate. Children should always be in clear view of the teacher. If a situation occurs, the teacher is right there to do whatever is needed to prevent it from happening. Teachers can point out supervising methods that are being used in classrooms to parents to ensure them that their children are being well care for and to help them understand the importance of safe supervision.

The use of art supplies can be potentially hazardous for the preschool age group.
Products should carry a warning or caution label that states whether if s safe for children. Art products can cause inhalation, ingestion and skin problems. In order to prevent these hazardous conditions a well ventilated area should be chosen for the art work. Dry art supplies that can be easily inhaled, such as tempera paint and clay should be avoided with young children. Poster and liquid paints are good for children of this age. Water based paints that are non toxic can be used also. Staff and parents are to make sure they read labels for hazardous warnings. Proper supervision is important. Children should be instructed on how to use materials. Parents can supervise the use of art supplies with their children. Children should be instructed how to use art materials.

Computers are being used in the early childhood environment today more and more.
Some possible hazards associated with the use of computers are muscular skeletal injuries, vision problems, lack of exercise and social isolation. Close supervision is recommended for computer use with young children. Basic electrical safety precautions should be taught to children. Used computers should be checked for wear and tear. Parents and caregivers should set limits of short periods of time for computer use by children. Computers and area surrounding them are to be appropriately designed for children’s use. Teaching children to sit correctly at computer and positioning arms and bodies can reduce strain on arms necks and shoulders. Staff and Parents setting limits on use can reduce lack of exercise and social interactions for children.