Health and Safety Child Care Centers and Family Day Care Homes

Program Issues Environmental Health Food Safety Environmental Safety

Guidelines Regulating Childcare and Family Day Care Settings North Carolina has three different documents regulating health and safety in child care: General Statutes Child Care Facilities Child Care Rules Sanitation of Child Care Centers

Environmental Safety Create child centered environment

Kitchen Safety

General Kitchen Safety Establish kitchen safety rules Establish safety rules for appliances and equipment Teach dangers and “not to’s”

General Kitchen Safety (continued) Teach children dangers: – Appliances – Cords – Knives

General Kitchen Safety (continued) Children should not: Sit on countertops Crawl around unrestricted Run or play in food preparation area Be unsupervised in the kitchen space

General Kitchen Safety (continued) Use only rubber-backed or non-skid rugs Mop only when children are away from center or in another room

Utensil and Equipment Practices Turn pot handles toward back of stove and counter Use back burners on stove top whenever possible Turn burners off immediately after use

Utensil and Equipment Practices (continued) Use stove knob “covers’ on controls reachable by children Keep hot foods and beverages pushed back from edge of countertops and tables Use safety latches on appliances such as refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave

Utensil and Equipment Practices (continued) Use non-breakable dishes and eating utensils Teach older children knife safety

Utensil and Equipment Practices (continued) Keep dishwasher closed when not in use Keep children away from dishwasher when emptying Use cord shorteners on appliance and phone cords. Tall refrigerators and stoves should be secured to eliminate possibility of tipping

Meal Time

Eating Practices Teach and expect children to sit during meal time Keep highchairs away from stove and work counters Stay with children during mealtime

Eating Practices (continued) Buckle children in highchairs with highchair restraint Securely latch highchair tray Take precautions not to pinch hands and fingers in highchair

Play and Nap Time Areas

Keep all areas clean, orderly and free of potential hazards

ACTIVITY — General Safety Upon completion of this activity, you will be able to identify the kinds of hazards that young children face in their environment each day.

General Safety Activity View each room from a child’s vantage point Get down on the floor and look around the room

General Safety Activity What looks interesting under the furnishings? What are at the various eye levels of the children under your care? What can items might look attractive to the children?

Leading causes of death Falls Poisoning Fires and Burns Choking Drowning

Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls

Slips, Trips and Falls Keep floors free of things that can be tripped over or slipped on Keep stairs in good shape Eliminate throw rugs

Slips, Trips and Falls Make certain you can see where you are going when carrying big loads Keep the area well lighted

Poison Prevention

Poison Proof Your Facility Potential dangers exist in all rooms Look through your facility for poisonous products

Crawl and play on floors and lawns Put things in their mouths From foods Accidental poisoning Why are Children at Risk?

A little bit of some chemicals can cause big problems Remember children’s bodies are small…

What products are dangerous for children? Batteries Pesticides Automotive products Cleaners Paints and solvents

Other Dangerous Products You May Not Think of Include: Medicine Mouthwash Makeup First Aid Supplies Deodorant Perfumes Furniture Polish Liquor Plants Bleach Cigarettes

Household products are hazardous if….. they can cause harm when not used properly

How Are Products Harmful? Toxic/poisonous (cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, injury, death) Corrosive (burn skin and eyes) Flammable (can be set on fire)

Protecting Children from Hazardous Products How To’s... Use hazardous products safely Store hazardous products carefully Dispose of hazardous products properly

Use Safely Read the label Look for the signal words ( caution, warning, flammable, harmful, danger, poison) Follow directions and special instructions

Use Safely Whenever possible, use products when children are away Put away after use No eating or smoking when using hazardous products Never mix products

Store in original container Close tightly after use Store 150 ft from well or water pump Keep away from heat, sparks, or fire Store in locked or secure place out of reach of children Store Safely

Dispose of hazardous products according to label directions Dispose of hazardous product containers in a way such that children can’t get to them Dispose of Safely

Dispose of safely continued Give away Take to community hazardous waste collection point Never dump or burn Recycle

Keep this number near the phone : Carolinas Poison Center

Hazard Hound can Help You Keep Children Safe

Teach Children... Not to touch products with “Paws Off” stickers

Label all potentially dangerous products with the “Paws Off” Stickers

Reducing Children’s Risk How To’s Strategies for eliminating pests Strategies for reducing exposure to hazardous products

Pest Control Strategies

Why Do You Have Pests? Broken, loose or torn screens Gaps or holes in home Dirty floors, counters and dishes Spilled foods Storing garbage where pests can reach Roof or plumbing leaks Storing food in containers without lids

Keeping Pests Out Seal cracks and crevices where pests can enter the home. Check things like bags and boxes for roaches before bringing them into the house. Teach your children not to share combs, hats, or coats at school or daycare.

Fire and Burns

Fires Have a working electrical smoke detector with a battery back-up Have a readily accessible full charged fire extinguisher Store matches and lighters away from children Discuss fire safety with the children Have an exit plan in case of fire

Burns It only takes 2 seconds for 140 o Install a scald guard or temperature limiter device to help prevent burns Set hot water heater at a maximum of 120 o Practice kitchen safety rules that help prevent burns

Fire Safety and Burn Prevention Use a protective screening with supports for any approved fuel burning heater, fireplace or floor furnace Cover or insulate hot pipes or radiators

Fire Safety and Burn Prevention Use only vented fuel burning heaters Use a carbon monoxide detector if you have a gas furnace or a fuel burning appliance

Choking and Suffocation

Keep an eye on young children while eating and playing Pick toys that are appropriate for the age of the child Never tie toys to a playpen as a child can strangle if caught on them Keep cribs and play pens away from windows covering pull cords

Choking and Suffocation Don’t let children play with balloons Don’t let children play near cars or old appliances Keep plastic bags and covers away from children

Drowning

If you have a pool: Fence the pool area Don’t leave toys in the pool Have children walk, not run, in pool area Watch children at all times

Drowning Watch children around all water sources – hot tubs, wading pools, creeks, ponds, streams, backyard pools Empty wading pools when not in use Never leave children alone in bathtub Children can drown in only a couple of inches of water!

Other Safety Concerns

Equipment and Furnishings Appliances, cabinets and shelves should be attached to the wall or braced by being anchored together. Blocks and heavy objects should be stored on lowest shelves TV sets, fish bowls and other similar items should be restrained so they won’t slide off

Electrical Safety Use safety plugs on all unused electrical outlets that aren’t located behind furniture or appliances Make certain all electrical cords are in good condition and free of frays or cracks

Bathroom Safety Practices Keep all medications in containers with child- resistant closures and in a locked location away from children’s reach Do not allow children to play in or near toilet

Equipment and Furnishings Pictures and other wall hangings should be attached to wall with wire and closed screw- eyes Electrical fans should be out of reach of children and fitted with mesh guard to protect small fingers

Other Safety Concerns Adults and older children should learn CPR Children should wear safety gear – helmets, kneepads, etc.

Prepared by: Sarah D. Kirby, Ph.D., Housing Specialist, NCSU