Setting Up and Managing a Safe Environment Chapter 5

Safety Concerns Unintentional injury is a leading cause of death for children Most childhood injuries are preventable Children lack the ability to judge risk-taking behaviors due to inexperience, personality, and developmental level Children may be unaware of the risks they take

Designing a Safety Policy Be aware of relevant laws, licensing regulations and fire codes at the state (and Federal) levels Assess the environment for safety hazards Assess children’s developmental abilities

Safety Policies Minimize risk (and obey the law) Provide protection 3. Promote safety

Creating a Safe Environment Consider both inside and outdoor safety Steps to take: Modify the environment Modify child behaviors Monitoring child behaviors Teaching safety behaviors (the children, staff, and parents)

The Environment Your ability to provide a safe environment will depend on the type of facility you are working in: Multi-use EX church Center Family child care Family home

The Children It is important to take into account the age, temperament & developmental abilities of the children in care. Toddlers are most at risk for dangerous situations. They have mobility but lack experience and judgement and they lack clear understanding of cause and effect.

Children, cont’d Preschoolers: can follow rules and understand “concrete” risks EX if you run too fast you might fall and scrape your knee so blood will come out! Safety precautions must still be taken throughout the environment--including car seats and advocating for traffic and violence-related concerns

Safety at Home Class and culture affect parents’ perception of safety hazards at home. Many parents have a very limited idea of safety that they strive for. Must balance education with understanding the parent’s point of view. In extreme cases Child Protective Services may be called. Make suggestions selectively & over time

Injury Prevention An injury may be caused by any combination of the following: Hazards:physical & environmental Lack of safety devices Unsafe child behaviors & attitudes Unsafe adult behaviors & attitudes Conditions-where and/or when See Table 5.4

Developing a Safety Plan Assess the child care environment for preventive strategies Remove hazards and add safety devices Change behaviors and attitudes EX through education, role modeling Monitor, evaluate, and make improvements