Section 1: Safety Practices and Policies

    Safety is important in any environment, especially in Early Childhood.  Falls and other injuries are very common. To prevent this we must use the proper procedures.  My focus will be on potential hazardous issues or safety threats of children of preschool age.

FIRE HAZARD

  1.   A broken fire extinguisher is a Fire Safety hazard which should be comply with the correct methods and procedures to ensure safety. All alarms should be working and intact. Inspection should be done monthly or bi monthly.

The Georgetown School District states you should Inspect Each Fire Extinguisher EACH MONTH by:

1.      Checking that the pull pin is in place and secured.

2.       Checking that the Pressure indicator is pointed to Green/OK.

3.       Checking that the nozzle is clear from debris.

4.       Turning the extinguisher upside down and shaking to free powder.

5.       Dating and Initialing the Inspection Tag.

NOTE: If extinguisher is defective, has been discharged or missing, report it immediately to the Building Manager.
      
       In the HOME environment, to prevent fires or burns, do the following:

• Turn all pot handles toward the center or rear of the stove
• Never smoke around children
•  Teach children the STOP,DROP and ROLL technique
• Place barriers around fireplaces,heaters, radiators, and hot pipes( Robertson p. 125).

    2.  Tables with sharp ends is an indoor issue which should be oversee by the classroom teacher. All furniture in the classroom should be at child height and free of sharp edges. To prevent this, furniture should be inspected for any potential injuries.  There is no policy on this safety matter. As an educator, I would notify maintenance and see if I can receive a replacement.  

      Adults in the HOME environment should do the following to prevent injuries:

•  Move chairs, cribs and other furniture away from windows.
•  Use wall mounted Televisions to avoid tip overs.
• Always supervise children on stairs. Hold their hands when walking up and down stairs.
•  Keep all windows locked and closed that are being used. 
•  Keep heavier items on lower shelves or in lower drawers (Kids Safety, 2010)..

• POISON CONTROL

2.     Exposure of cleaning supplies is a Poison Control issue which all cleaning products, paint or any substance that may be dangerous to students should be up high in cabinets or locked drawers.

GCSD’s policy is: Training for all new employees must be conducted during new hire orientation. When a new chemical is introduced into the workplace, it is the responsibility of the appropriate supervisor to train affected employees. Additional training is available through the Risk Management Department. Training must include:

           (a.) An overview of the requirements contained in the Hazard Communication

                 Standard, section 1910.1200;

      (b.) Chemicals present in their workplace;

      (c.) The location, availability, and content of the District’s Written Hazard Communication                   Program;

     (d.) The physical and health effects of the hazardous chemicals;

    (e.) Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”); and

    (f.) How to read labels and MSDS’s to obtain applicable information.

HOME PRECAUTIONS are to: 

• Store all household products out of children's sight and reach.
• Store poisonous items out of reach or use safety locks on cabinets within reach. 
• Do not leave poisonous products unattended while in use. Household items such as makeup, personal care products, plants, pesticides , art supplies, and alcohol.
• Program the toll free number for the Poison Control Center into your home phone and cell phone. Post it near your refrigerator for the babysitter (Kids Safety, 2010).

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• OUTDOOR SAFETY

3.     Anthills on the playground is an Outdoor Environment hazard which should be notified by the proper authority. To prevent this matter, safety procedures and practices should be done to make the playground safe for students to play.  School administrators should check their building for maintenance at least once each week during the school session, making note of minor items of maintenance and submitting requests for such items by means of work orders is what the district requires (GCSD,2015). 

For HOME OUTDOOR SAFETY:

• Always supervise children.
• Make sure playground equipment has shock absorb surfaces like rubber, sand or wood chips.
• Remove all jewelry, tuck in clothing with strings to avoid any strangulation. 
• Teach children that pushing, shoving  and crowing is  not safe on playgrounds (Kids Safety,2010).

CHOKING 

4.  Choking on food is an Health Hazard which can be avoid if children are closely supervise, taught about Food Safety and all staff are trained in CPR. The GCSD website on Training Requirements are: The Emergency Response Team members will receive AED and CPR training. The cost of the AED training shall be provided for Emergency Response Team members by Georgetown County School District. The training shall include, but not necessarily be limited to:

• AED program response protocol

• Using the Heart Start FRx

Families could practice these strategies:

• Cut food into tiny pieces. Children under 5 should not eat round or hard foods, including hot dogs, cheese sticks or chunks,hard candy,popcorn or nuts.

• Read instructions and labels before purchasing toys or games.

• Keep small magnets away from children that may be inside toys.

• Keep all cords and strings out of children's reach. 

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Resources

Georgetown County School District (2015). Support Services. Fire Safety. Georgetown. South Carolina. Retrieved from http://www.gcsd.k12.sc.us/
 Robertson, C. (2013).  Safety, nutrition, & health in early childhood (5^thedition).  Belmont, California: Wadsworth Cengage Learning 

Safe Kids Worldwide . FALL PREVENTION FOR LITTLE KIDS.  http://www.safekids.org/