Chapter Three: Chapter Three: Outdoor SafetyOutdoor Safety

Safety Policies forSafety Policies forOutdoor EnvironmentOutdoor Environment

More than half of injuries in child care centers are outdoors (falls)

Child care in certain neighborhoods may be at risk for safety

Childhood injuries from motor vehicles and bicycles may be prevented with use of proper safety equipment (restraints and helmets)

Safety Policies for Outdoor Safety Policies for Outdoor Environment, cont.Environment, cont.

Outdoor Child Care Environment Playground Equipment Safety Travel and Traffic Safety Water Safety

Examining Outdoor Child Examining Outdoor Child Care EnvironmentsCare Environments

Falls Motor vehicle and other transportation

accidents

Poisons Equipment

Outdoor Environmental Outdoor Environmental

HazardsHazards Barriers Poison Control

Including toxic plants

Pesticides, BBQ Insects

Temperature

Other considerations Trees BBQ Away from power lines, ditches, etc. Barefoot only if safe

Developmental LevelDevelopmental Level

Infants and Toddlers

Preschool children

School Age

SpaceSpace

Rule of thumb = clearance 9 ft. around stationary equipment and 15 ft. around equipment with moving parts such as swings

Outdoor area should provide 50 sq. ft. of space for each child When equipment figured in, usually = 75 sq.

ft.

Daily inspection Extra caution in public multi-use

facilities

Shared SpaceShared Space

Time of DayTime of Day

Certain times of day may be more vulnerable to accidents When children are tired or hungry Midmorning and midafternoon

The NeighborhoodThe Neighborhood

No traffic, noise pollution, little risk for safety = better neighborhood

Traffic, noise, risk for safety = at-risk neighborhood

Playground Equipment SafetyPlayground Equipment Safety

Climbing Equipment, Slides, and Swings Riding Toys Sandboxes Other equipment

Seesaws, trampolines, homemade equipment (wooden, etc.)

Become familiar with potentially harmful areas (Fig. 3-2)

Traffic and Transportation Traffic and Transportation SafetySafety

As pedestrians, in cars, on bikes and crashing

Pedestrian Safety At child care Drop-off and pick-up plan

Motor Vehicle Safety The vehicle Safety seats Pretravel guidelines Travel guidelines Travel conditions Travel information sheet

Bicycle Safety Helmets Riding safety Other riding conditions

Water Hazards Children’s Behavior Around Water

Water Safety Guidelines (Table 3-7) Water Safety Behaviors (Table 3-8)

Water SafetyWater Safety

Observation Apply ABCs to outdoor environment

Supervision Provide for checks and balances

Good communication throughout child care

Implications for CaregiversImplications for Caregivers

Education Caregivers Children Parents

Reality Check:Reality Check:Sun SafetySun Safety

Skin cancer begins from sun exposure in childhood

Protecting children from hazards of sun on hot, sunny days is important

Use climate prediction center for UV forecast

Follow suggestions on page 103 for keeping children sun safe

Reality Check:Reality Check:Neighborhood ViolenceNeighborhood Violence

The Continuum of Violence in Children’s Lives (see Figure 3-1)

Exposure can put safety at risk Neighborhood violence permeating

society

Children’s ability to cope Age Developmental level Availability of resources for help Ability of children to access resources

Caregivers can offer safe haven Monitor for safety Access resources Encourage prosocial, gentle behavior Be a person a child can trust and

relate to well