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Document Potential Safety Hazards in the Learning

and Activity Environments

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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.

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Terms

age appropriate barriers entrapment fall zone product recall safety audits

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 children’s 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.

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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.

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What are some potential safety hazards in the classroom?II. Classroom safety hazards

A. Toys and learning materials1. Should be age appropriate, or

recommended for children of a particular age group

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What are some potential safety hazards in the classroom?A. Toys and learning materials (cont’d)

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 repaira. No broken piecesb. No protruding screws or boltsc. No sharp edges or splinters

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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 apartb. Snug-fitting mattressc. No comforters, quilts, pillows, or stuffed

animals for infants under 12 months old

2. Walkers should not be used.

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What are some potential safety hazards in the classroom?C. Furniture

1. Should be proper size for each participanta. A child’s feet should touch the floor when

he or she is sitting in a chair.b. Table height should not be above a child’s

waist when he or she is seated.

2. Should be stable3. Should be anchored if likely to tip over4. Should be in good repair

a. No loose or protruding screws or boltsb. No splinters

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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.

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What are some potential safety hazards in the classroom?D. Classroom (cont’d)

4. Exits should not be blocked.5. Stairs should have handrails.6. Appliances that pose threats should be

inaccessible to children.a. Electric fansb. Space heaters

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What are some potential safety hazards in the classroom?D. Classroom (cont’d)

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 stairwaysb. Block access to bathrooms

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What are some potential safety hazards in the classroom?D. Classroom (cont’d)

8. Dangerous materials and poisons should be kept in a locked cabinet or closet when not in use.

a. Medicationsb. Cleaning productsc. Poisonous materialsd. Sharp scissors and knives

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What are some potential safety hazards in the classroom?D. Classroom (cont’d)

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.

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What are some potential safety hazards on the playground?III. Playground safety hazards

A. Grounds1. 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.

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What are some potential safety hazards on the playground?A. Grounds (cont’d)

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.

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What are some potential safety hazards on the playground?B. Equipment

1. Age appropriatea. Caregivers should consult manufacturers’

recommendations for appropriate ages.b. Barriers should prevent young children

from reaching equipment designed for older children.

2. Good repaira. No rustb. No sharp edges or splintersc. No loose or protruding screws or boltsd. S-hooks on swings tightly closed

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What are some potential safety hazards on the playground?B. Equipment (cont’d)

3. Properly anchored to ground4. 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.

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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.

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What are some potential safety hazards on the playground?1. A proper fall zone (cont’d)

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.

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What are some potential safety hazards on the playground?D. Riding toys

1. Should have wheels without spokes2. Must be able to be steered3. Should be appropriate size for participants4. Should not be ridden unless helmets are

worn

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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?