Promoting Children’s Safety Chapter 11 Promoting Children’s Safety

Safety Objectives Supervise the children at all times. Maintain your state child-adult ratio Develop safety limits Provide a safe environment Practice fire safety Develop plans for weather emergencies Recognize the signs of child abuse Teach children to protect themselves against sexual abuse.

Basic Safety limits Definitions Sample Limits Limits/Rules “guides children to actions and behaviors that reflect the goals of a program” Walk indoors. Do not run Use blocks for building and not throwing. Wipe up spills right away Tell the teacher when equipment breaks Use the ladder for the slide not the slide Wear a helmet when riding a bike.

Transporting Children Motor vehicle accidents pose the greatest threats to children’s lives. All children should ride in the back seat until 12 years of age. Children up to three years of age should ride in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the seat’s height and weight requirements. Children 4-7 should ride in front facing care seats Children 8-12 who have outgrown the car seat should ride in a booster chair in the back seat. Check with the national highway and Traffic Safety Administration website for specific details.

“Stop, Drop and Roll” 1 fire extinguisher in kitchen 1 near each classroom or in the classroom 1 in the laundry area Check the Following: pressure gauge is at “normal” Blocks nozzle of other parts. Missing pin or tampered seal Dents, leaks, rust or other signs of damage.

Fire Drills and Evacuation Plans General Information Example Evacuation Plan Most states require fire and natural disaster drills. Make sure to have a well organized plan and practice the plan. Sound the fire alarm Evacuate the building When leaving the building close the doors and leave the lights on Call fire department after leaving the building Take roll as soon as you find your designated safe place. When firefighters arrive, report any missing children or staff.

Report any symptoms the child may have Poisoning Reaction Store poisonous materials in a locked closet Store medications in a locked cabinet. Store medications away from food. Refer to medical labels when giving medications. Report any symptoms the child may have Identify the first aid procedures Report the time Report age and weight Provide the name of the poisonous substance Report the amount ingested by the child.

Neglect and Abuse Nonaccidental physical injury: this is physical abuse inflicted on purpose: children come to school with bruises, bites, burns or other injuries. Neglect: when children are not given the basic needs of life: a child may be deprived of proper food, medical, dental or clothing. A teacher must be sensitive to different child-rearing practices that could be cultural, some signs include: Arriving early or picked up late Child wears inappropriate clothing Child seems hungry always. Poor hygiene Child seems tired and sleeps in class

Emotional Abuse Emotional Abuse is abuse of a child’s self-concept through words or actions Refusal to talk Unpredictable behavior Rare smiling Excessive crying or clinging Destructive behavior Poor motor coordination Fear of adults.

Sexual Abuse Before the age of eight, 3.0 to 4.6% of Children suffer some form of sexual abuse. Girls have a higher rate of abuse ** Studies have shown that race, intelligence, family income and social class have nothing to do with the occurrence of sexual abuse.

Helping Families Parenting classes Self help- or support groups Financial planning Family counseling Help lines Preventative healthcare programs Nutrition for healthy living.