Document Potential Safety Hazards in the Learning and Activity Environments

1
Document Potential Safety Hazards in the Learning
and Activity Environments
2
Objectives

• 1. Explain the importance of regular safety
  audits.
• 2. Identify potential safety hazards in the
  classroom.
• 3. Identify potential safety hazards on the
  playground.

3
Terms

• age appropriate
• barriers
• entrapment
• fall zone
• product recall
• safety audits

4
Why is it important to conduct regular safety
audits?

• I. Safety audits are regular inspections to
  ensure no safety hazards are present in the
  environment.
• A. Caregivers are responsible for safety.
• 1. Caregivers should ensure that the
  environment is free of common dangers.

5
Why is it important to conduct regular safety
audits?

• A. Caregivers are responsible for safety.
• 2. Children learn best when they are free to
  explore their environment.
• a. Toys can be touched by children.
• b. Toys can be mouthed by infants.
• c. Precautions are taken to prevent tripping
  or falling.
• 3. Safety audits do not replace proper
  supervision by caregivers.

6
Why is it important to conduct regular safety
audits?

• A. Caregivers are responsible for safety.
• 4. If a caregiver discovers a hazard, it should
  be documented.
• a. The discovery should be reported,
  preferably in writing, to the supervisor or
  program director.
• b. The hazard (such as a broken toy) should be
  removed immediately, if possible.
• c. Child access should be blocked if the
  hazard (such as a climbing structure with
  protruding bolts) cannot be removed.
• d. Repairs should be scheduled.

7
Why is it important to conduct regular safety
audits?

• B. Hazards are common.
• 1. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
  (CPSC) found in a national study of 220
  licensed child care settings that two-thirds
  had at least one safety hazard.
• 2. The CPSC reports that 200,000 children are
  injured on playgrounds each year.
• 3. The CPSC reports that 15
  toddlers die of choking
  each
  year.

8
Why is it important to conduct regular safety
audits?

• C. Standards change.
• 1. The CPSC updates standards based on new
  studies.
• 2. Manufacturers find ways to make products
  safer.

9
Why is it important to conduct regular safety
audits?

• D. Products are recalled.
• 1. A product recall is an announcement that a
  product is unsafe and should not be used.
• a. A recalled product can usually be returned
  to the place of purchase for a refund.
• b. If a recalled item was donated or purchased
  secondhand, it should be discarded.
• 2. Common reasons for a recall of childrens
  products include findings of lead paint or
  small pieces that break and pose a choking
  hazard.
• 3. The CPSC provides recall information on its
  Web site, http//www.cpsc.gov.

10
Why is it important to conduct regular safety
audits?

• E. Equipment degrades.
• 1. Toys break.
• 2. Furniture becomes unstable.
• 3. Bolts or screws become loose.
• 4. Playground equipment rusts or produces
  splinters.

11
What are some potential safety hazards in the
classroom?

• II. Classroom safety hazards
• A. Toys and learning materials
• 1. Should be age appropriate, or recommended
  for children of a particular age group

12
What are some potential safety hazards in the
classroom?

• A. Toys and learning materials (contd)
• 2. Should be free of choking hazards for
  children under three years old
• a. No parts smaller than 1¼ inches by 2¼
  inches
• b. No plastic bags, coins, latex balloons
• 3. Should be in good repair
• a. No broken pieces
• b. No protruding screws or bolts
• c. No sharp edges or splinters

13
What are some potential safety hazards in the
classroom?

• B. Baby equipment
• 1. Cribs should meet current standards.
• a. Slats no more than 2d inches apart
• b. Snug-fitting mattress
• c. No comforters, quilts, pillows, or stuffed
  animals for infants under 12 months old
• 2. Walkers should not be used.

14
What are some potential safety hazards in the
classroom?

• C. Furniture
• 1. Should be proper size for each participant
• a. A childs feet should touch the floor when
  he or she is sitting in a chair.
• b. Table height should not be above a childs
  waist when he or she is seated.
• 2. Should be stable
• 3. Should be anchored if likely to tip over
• 4. Should be in good repair
• a. No loose or protruding screws or bolts
• b. No splinters

15
What are some potential safety hazards in the
classroom?

• D. Classroom
• 1. All areas should be visible to the teacher
  from anywhere in the room.
• 2. Flooring should be safe.
• a. Area rugs should be backed with nonslip
  liners.
• b. Wet spots should be addressed immediately.
• 3. Outlets should be covered.
• a. Plastic plugs are not adequate.
• b. Covers should be screwed in or be
  spring-loaded.

16
What are some potential safety hazards in the
classroom?

• D. Classroom (contd)
• 4. Exits should not be blocked.
• 5. Stairs should have handrails.
• 6. Appliances that pose threats should be
  inaccessible to children.
• a. Electric fans
• b. Space heaters

17
What are some potential safety hazards in the
classroom?

• D. Classroom (contd)
• 7. Barriers, or obstructions, such as safety
  gates, that limit access to an area, should be
  used in infant and toddler rooms.
• a. Block access to stairways
• b. Block access to bathrooms

18
What are some potential safety hazards in the
classroom?

• D. Classroom (contd)
• 8. Dangerous materials and poisons should be
  kept in a locked cabinet or closet when not in
  use.
• a. Medications
• b. Cleaning products
• c. Poisonous materials
• d. Sharp scissors and knives

19
What are some potential safety hazards in the
classroom?

• D. Classroom (contd)
• 9. Window blinds should not have looped cords.
• a. Children can become tangled in
  cords and be strangled.
• b. Caregivers should cut loops or
  secure cords out of
  reach of
  children.

20
What are some potential safety hazards on the
playground?

• III. Playground safety hazards
• A. Grounds
• 1. All areas should be visible to caregivers.
• 2. A fence should enclose the area.
• 3. The area should be free of bodies of
  water.
• 4. The area should be free of prickly or
  poisonous plants.

21
What are some potential safety hazards on the
playground?

• A. Grounds (contd)
• 5. The area should be free of broken glass and
  debris.
• 6. The area should provide some shade,
  especially around metal structures and
  slides that can become very hot.

22
What are some potential safety hazards on the
playground?

• B. Equipment
• 1. Age appropriate
• a. Caregivers should consult manufacturers
  recommendations for appropriate ages.
• b. Barriers should prevent young children from
  reaching equipment designed for older
  children.
• 2. Good repair
• a. No rust
• b. No sharp edges or splinters
• c. No loose or protruding screws or bolts
• d. S-hooks on swings tightly closed

23
What are some potential safety hazards on the
playground?

• B. Equipment (contd)
• 3. Properly anchored to ground
• 4. No risk of entrapment, or a body part,
  usually an arm, a leg, or the head, being
  caught in a piece of equipment
• a. Young children may panic, even if they are
  not truly stuck.
• b. The area between bars, rails, or other
  components of the equipment should be less
  than 3½ inches or more than 9 inches.

24
What are some potential safety hazards on the
playground?

• C. Surfacing
• 1. A proper fall zone, or area under and
  surrounding climbing equipment, should be
  maintained.
• a. Acceptable materials include wood mulch,
  wood chips, pea gravel, sand, and some
  shredded- rubber materials.
• b. Grass, dirt, and asphalt
  
  are not acceptable in fall
  zones.

25
What are some potential safety hazards on the
playground?

• 1. A proper fall zone (contd)
• c. Minimum depth of most loose-fill materials
  should be 9 inches when compressed.
• d. The fall zone should extend at least 6 feet
  from all sides of a climbing
  structure.
• 2. Surfaces not included in the fall zone
  should be smooth and free of tripping hazards.

26
What are some potential safety hazards on the
playground?

• D. Riding toys
• 1. Should have wheels without spokes
• 2. Must be able to be steered
• 3. Should be appropriate size for participants
• 4. Should not be ridden unless helmets are worn

27
Review

• What steps should be taken when a hazard is
  found in the classroom?
• Who is responsible for the safety of a
  classroom?
• What are some guidelines with cribs?
  Furniture? Window blinds?
• What types of materials should be used on a
  playground?