1. Setting Up and Managing a Safe Environment
Chapter 5

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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