Prevention is the best medicine. Nowhere is this more true than in a preschool setting. As a professional working with very little children it is important that we see an accident waiting to happen, then make sure that it does not happen.
As the caregiver for preschoolers, part of your "job" is keeping them safe. Sometimes this is easier said than done. Let me give you a few pointers. There are plenty more out there. Let's take a look at some accidents that we can prevent.
FALLS: You can help prevent falls by making sure stuff is picked up. Juice, milk or water on a bare floor is easy to slip on. Use carpeting or rugs. If you have stairs in your preschool, use a gate to keep little ones out. If you have shelving in your preschool, you could attach it to the wall. If kids try to climb on them, they will not fall over. Outside, make sure equipment is age-appropriate and put down something soft for them to fall on like shredded rubber or mulch.
TOYS: Be sure that you are picking out age appropriate toys. Look on the box for the correct age for that toy. Make sure that toys are well constructed, do not have small pieces that could be choked on and have safe paint. Buy toys that are American-made and good name brands.
FIRE: The main thing here is to have smoke alarms with fresh batteries and fire extinguishers that you know how to use. Have a practice evacuation of the building, the children will love it. Explain that it was practice so they don't get upset.
CHOKING: Don't let children eat small, round or hard foods like small pieces of hot dogs, hard candy, nuts, grapes or popcorn. Keep small objects like small balls, buttons, beads, marbles, coins safe-guarded. Your children are probably old enough to handle these things but you should be aware and watch them closely if they are using or eating these types of items.
POISONS: Keep all chemicals and medicines in a locked cabinet, no exceptions. Install carbon monoxide detectors.
DROWNING: Children can drown in as little as one inch of water so watch them closely around any water. You might not have a pool but you might have standing water in a discovery table or during an art project or for cleaning with. If you do have a pool, have a fence around it with a locked gate.
BURNS AND SCALDING: Set your water heater to 120 degrees. A child's skin burns more quickly than an adult's so what feels OK to you may be too hot for a child. Cook on the back burners and turn pot handles away from the edge of the stove. Do not use a tablecloth, a child can pull it off and the hot food on top of it could land right on him.
CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY: All preschoolers must ride in the back seat of a car in their child safety seat with the seat belt. Never leave a child in a car unattended. You might want to take the bus when you go on a field trip. In our town, children 3-4 years ride free and the restraint rules do not apply in a bus.
CHILD PICK-UP: Never let someone pick-up a child that is not on your approved list for that child. Even better, take a picture of every approved adult.
You have probably taken your first aid and CPR training. Hopefully, you won't have to use them. But you can handle a crisis if needed with confidence. It is even better to prevent a crisis.
Have fun with your little ones. Keep them learning and keep them safe.
by. Mary Collins
As the caregiver for preschoolers, part of your "job" is keeping them safe. Sometimes this is easier said than done. Let me give you a few pointers. There are plenty more out there. Let's take a look at some accidents that we can prevent.
FALLS: You can help prevent falls by making sure stuff is picked up. Juice, milk or water on a bare floor is easy to slip on. Use carpeting or rugs. If you have stairs in your preschool, use a gate to keep little ones out. If you have shelving in your preschool, you could attach it to the wall. If kids try to climb on them, they will not fall over. Outside, make sure equipment is age-appropriate and put down something soft for them to fall on like shredded rubber or mulch.
TOYS: Be sure that you are picking out age appropriate toys. Look on the box for the correct age for that toy. Make sure that toys are well constructed, do not have small pieces that could be choked on and have safe paint. Buy toys that are American-made and good name brands.
FIRE: The main thing here is to have smoke alarms with fresh batteries and fire extinguishers that you know how to use. Have a practice evacuation of the building, the children will love it. Explain that it was practice so they don't get upset.
CHOKING: Don't let children eat small, round or hard foods like small pieces of hot dogs, hard candy, nuts, grapes or popcorn. Keep small objects like small balls, buttons, beads, marbles, coins safe-guarded. Your children are probably old enough to handle these things but you should be aware and watch them closely if they are using or eating these types of items.
POISONS: Keep all chemicals and medicines in a locked cabinet, no exceptions. Install carbon monoxide detectors.
DROWNING: Children can drown in as little as one inch of water so watch them closely around any water. You might not have a pool but you might have standing water in a discovery table or during an art project or for cleaning with. If you do have a pool, have a fence around it with a locked gate.
BURNS AND SCALDING: Set your water heater to 120 degrees. A child's skin burns more quickly than an adult's so what feels OK to you may be too hot for a child. Cook on the back burners and turn pot handles away from the edge of the stove. Do not use a tablecloth, a child can pull it off and the hot food on top of it could land right on him.
CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY: All preschoolers must ride in the back seat of a car in their child safety seat with the seat belt. Never leave a child in a car unattended. You might want to take the bus when you go on a field trip. In our town, children 3-4 years ride free and the restraint rules do not apply in a bus.
CHILD PICK-UP: Never let someone pick-up a child that is not on your approved list for that child. Even better, take a picture of every approved adult.
You have probably taken your first aid and CPR training. Hopefully, you won't have to use them. But you can handle a crisis if needed with confidence. It is even better to prevent a crisis.
Have fun with your little ones. Keep them learning and keep them safe.
by. Mary Collins
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