Safety Practices and Policies

Safety never takes a holiday.  ~Author Unknown

Danger never takes a vacation.  ~Author Unknown

Preschoolers are a rambunctious and eager bunch; and though it becomes, at times, difficult to ensure their safety, all precautions must be taken in order to do so. To that end, it becomes necessary to identify potential hazardous situations/safety threats. This post will attempt to make such identifications, and to elucidate the measures that should be taken to prevent and/or deal with these situations. 

The first safety threat for preschoolers is “falls.” Preschoolers are just developing their motor skills, and, therefore, may be physically inept. Measures that should be taken to prevent falls are “[reinforcing] safe behavior on equipment” and “carefully [supervising] a child playing on equipment” (Robertson, 2010). Safety policies that apply to falls include the APHA and AAP’s mandate that “no structure shall be more than 5½ feet tall” (Robertson, 2010). To ensure the safety of the child at home, families can ensure that they meet the aforementioned standard set by the APHA and AAP. Families can also keep a close eye on preschoolers.

The second safety threat for preschoolers is drowning. Measures that should be taken to prevent drowning include “teaching water safety” and covering, fencing, and locking gates to pools (Robertson, 2010). Safety polices that apply to drowning include The U.S. Product Safety Commission’s mandate that “the top of a pool barrier be at least 48 inches above grade, measured on the side of the barrier which face away from the swimming pool” (CPSC, 2012). To ensure the safety of the child at home, families can ensure that they meet the aforementioned standard set by the CPSC. Also, families are encouraged to enroll their children in swimming classes.

The third safety threat for preschoolers is violence (i.e. kidnapping, sexual abuse, etc.). Measures that should be taken to prevent violence include teaching “children neighborhood safety, including safe houses and familiarity with law enforcement” (Robertson, 2010). Safety policies that apply to violence include the NAEYC’s suggestion of having “1 teacher for 14 to 20 preschoolers.”

The fourth hazardous situation for preschoolers is consumption of/contact with toxic material. Measures that should be taken to avoid this situation including placing poison hazards in high places, “keeping the outdoor are as free from pollutants as possible,” and using “insect sprays sparingly and only when children are not present” (Robertson, 2010). Safety polices that apply to consumption of contact with toxic material includes the EPA’s prohibition of certain materials in schools. To ensure the safety of the child at home, families can place toxic substances far beyond the reach of children, teach children practices for avoiding hazardous substances, and ensure that certain materials are never allowed in the home.

The final safety threat for preschoolers is excessive exposure to sun. Measures that should be taken to prevent this include scheduling outdoor events for the coolest parts of the day and ensuring that children use sunblock. Safety polices that apply to sun exposure include the NASBE’s mandate to “conduct sun safety in-service training and programs” and to “enhance the school’s physical environment” using shaded structures such as gazebos and canopies (NASBE, 2010). To ensure safety at home, families can ensure their children wear sunscreen, and that children are taught about sun safety.

The door to safety swings on the hinges of common sense.  ~Author Unknown

References

Robertson, Catherine. Safety, Nutrition, & Health in Early Education. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2013.
“Safety Barrier Guidelines for Home Pools.” U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. www. cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/pool.pdf

“Sun Safety.” National Association of State Boards of Education. www.nasbe.org/HealthySchools/sun_safety.html