Policies and Safety Measures for Schools and Parents

Although there are many dangers that threaten children’s safety; cleaning chemicals, broken outdoor equipment, and allergies, choking and falling are common issues that we may face in preschool facilities. Many policies have been established to assure the well being and safety of our children.  The issue of child safety is a topic that we cannot afford to ignore because of the lives that it involves. This is why there are trainings, courses taught and policies followed on safety so that we may never have to face the least or worst case scenario. Children are precious and as adults we have the responsibility to become familiar with safety precautions to help create a safer environment where ever they are present.

House hold products pose a danger to children simply because of the chemicals that they contain. Not all cleaning agents are welcomed in childcare in order to be aware of what is being used to disinfect and sanitized. For the health of our children is important to clean, but safety precaution still need to be taken. In Australia The University of New South Whale in its Health & Safety in Children’s Centres Model Policies & Practices 2nd edition revised has a policy that states “The centre will protect child centre staff, children, families and visitors from the risks associated with chemical products, medicines, other dangerous substances and dangerous equipment used in the centre and environs” (Frith, Kambouris & O’Grady p. 171). Cleaning products should be kept where children cannot reach such as an overhead cabinet. Safety latches should be used.

Just like the dangers that children face indoors, outdoor dangers have to be taken into consideration. Though equipments have been designed appropriately for preschool children they still need some inspections to reassure safety. In Safety, Nutrition, and Health in Early Education the authors state “Play grounds should provide both play value and safety for healthy development (Frost, 1994; Sutterby &Thornton, 2005)” (Robertson, 2010, p 130). Adults that are outdoors with children have a responsibility to watch them. Robertson (2010) tells us that “Lack of supervision is correlated with 40 percent of playground injuries to children (NSKC, 2007c)” (p 150). Yet falls account for “70 percent of playground injuries (Scott, 2004)” (Robertson, 2010, p 146). This takes me to the next threat of children’s safety. To help lessen impact and serious injuries the surface of the where falls occur has to be considered (Robertson, 2010, p 147). Shock absorber like; sand, pine bark mulch are acceptable as opposed to grass, asphalt and dirt (Robertson, 2010, p 147).

            Choking is an area that we need to be always aware of since it can happen at any moment with foods and toys that children like. Foods like hotdogs, popcorn or that are small enough to be swallowed whole should be avoided. To prevent this, it can be banned from being served at a preschool facility; the size can be reduced or foods can be cooked to help soften and teach the children to chew well (USDA, 2011). Also buying toys large enough and that are appropriate according to age will help prevent choking. Robertson (2010) says “Age appropriateness is one of the most important tools for removing hazardous toys from the environment” (p 101).

A food allergy is a reaction that can have serious consequences and you will know when it happens if hives, itchiness, swelling lips appear or more seriously anaphylactic reaction occur (Robertson, 2010, p 274).  The school district # 13-3 in South Dakota in their Handbook it states “The Irene-Wakonda School Board… prohibits the use, serving, or selling peanuts, peanut butter or any product containing peanuts or peanut oil” (2011, p 10). This type of policy is one that many other schools districts are adopting in order to have a safer environment. Educating children and allowing teachers or caregivers to know about allergies help them to take safety precautions like prohibiting or avoiding foods that can be a threat to children. Also Epinephrine (EpiPen) should be at the disposal of staff members on-site so that it can be administered if an incident was to occur.

Any policy and safety measures that are taken should be shared with parents. The reason for this is because schools become a resource for parents to get the latest research and action plans to help raise healthy children. Children spend a lot of time at school and the school’s position in children’s lives has risen to be in partnership with parents. This is never to dictate what parents should do, but become a valuable source of information that educates parents indirectly and guide healthy development together. Parents can take under consideration to implement these safety measures in their personal activities at home or elsewhere. This will bring a unifying effort to teach children at home and school.     

References

University of New South Wales (2003). Health & Safety in Children’s Centres Model Policies & Practices (2nd ed) revised. Retrieve September 10, 2011 from http://www.med.unsw.edu.au/SPHCMWeb.nsf/resources/CCModelPolicies.pdf/$file/CCModelPolicies.pdf

Irene-Wakonda School District (2011).  Irene-Wakonda Elementary Handbook. Retrieved September 11, 2011 from http://irene-wakonda.k12.sd.us/Handbook/Elementary%20Handbook%201011.pdf

Robertson, C. (2010). Safety, Nutrition, and Health in Early Education (4th ed). Belmont: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning

USDA (2011). Choking Hazards. Retreived September 11, 2011 from http://www.choosemyplate.gov/preschoolers/FoodSafety/chokinghazards.html