Health and Safety

Identify and control common Illness and injury in your classroom

What is health and safety?Health is when the heart, body and mind is free of illness, injury, or disease. The well-being or health of young children is entrusted in adult caregivers who are responsible for proper physical and mental care including feeding, nursing, and medicating the child.Safety in the early classroom is freedom from the danger that may cause injury or harm to young children. Safety is maximized by reducing hazards in the environment and by preventing the occurrence of minor or serious accidents.

What is Illness and injury?When the healthcare of the child is not properly catered to or when unpredictable circumstances arise, illness can occur in any individual child from 0 to 5 years of age. Illness can show up in the body in any number of diseases for any period of time.Injuries are normally accidental. They are the result of damaging, bruising, or breaking any specific part of the body and may require aid from the caregiver, or hospitalization for more serious injuries.

What you will learn in this PPT:• The most common illnesses and injuries that occur

for children age 4 and younger• Simple ways to prevent illness and injury of

children in your care • Simple ways to treat illness and injury of children

in your care• DECAL Rules and standards of care for Child Care

Learning Centers • The Dirty Dozen Checklist & Safety Hazards to

Avoid• Health and Safety suggestions for teachers

Identifying Common IllnessesColds

Colds are common illnesses in children younger than 2. A cold is an upper respiratory infection. Tiny germs called viruses infect the lining of the breathing passages in the nose, throat, ears, sinuses, and lungs.

Signs of a cold include: Runny Nose, Sneezing, or coughing Fever of 101 to 102 degrees F Irritability or decreased appetite Slightly swollen glands Sore throat or difficulty swallowing

Prevention: Washing hands, using tissue, sneezing or coughing into sleeve or arm. Treatment: Comfort, plenty of fluids, rest, children’s Tylenol or consult a doctor.

Identifying Common IllnessesEar Infections

Ear infections can happen when fluid gathers in the middle ear during colds and upper respiratory infections. Sometimes bacteria infect the fluid then pain and inflammation or redness, heat, and swelling occurs. They are most common during winter and early spring.

Signs of an ear infection include: Crankiness Frequent waking from sleep Change in sleep patterns Crying or screaming with cold symptoms Eye Drainage Increasingly thick mucus from the nose Tugging at ears, face and neck

Prevention: Frequent hand-washing, bottle-feeding in a semi-upright position, avoid second-hand smoke or people who have respiratory illnesses. Treatment: Prescribed ear-drops or oral antibiotics.

Fast Facts: •2/3 of all children have at least one ear infection by their second birthday.•Children in daycares get more infections than children cared for at home. •Infants who self-feed while lying on their backs tend to get ear infections.

Identifying Common IllnessesCoughs • Coughs are usually connected to respiratory illnesses. Coughing is a

sign that child’s air passageways are irritated. • Allergies can cause coughing because mucus drips down the back of

the throat. This produces a dry cough that’s hard to stop. • If coughing progresses to a barking sound then it may be croup.

Croup is an inflammation of the larynx and trachea. This inflammation narrows the airways just below the vocal chords, making breathing noisy and difficult. Croup is most common between October and March for children younger than 3.

• Children who cough only at night may have Asthma. A wheezing or whistling sound when breathing-out is the classic symptom. Causes include viral respiratory infections, animal contact, tobacco smoke, menthol vapors, pollen or air pollution.

Prevention: Care-giver and child hand-washing, sanitizing toys and room, encouraging children to cough into arm or sleeve.Treatment: Depending on doctor’s diagnosis, treatment can include plenty of fluids or rest.

Identifying Common IllnessesConjunctivitis (Pink-Eye)• When the white of the eye becomes pink or red, it’s called

pink-eye or conjunctivitis. The conjunctiva is the membrane that covers the white of the eye. It becomes pink when it is infected or irritated.

• Viral conjunctivitis (part of a cold) is the main cause of pinkeye without pus. Bacterial conjunctivitis occurs when the eyelids are stuck together. Allergic conjunctivitis is usually accompanied by nasal allergies (hay fever) or sneezing. Irritant conjunctivitis occurs when sunscreen, soap, smoke, chlorine (pool water), or other foreign bodies irritates the eye(s). Prevention: Hand-washing and encouraging child not to touch the face or eyes.

Treatment: Cleaning the eye every 2 hours, artificial tears ,or antibiotic eye drops.FYI: Pink-eye with a watery discharge is harmless and mildly contagious.

Identifying Common IllnessesHand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease• A viral infection that causes mouth ulcers and tiny

blisters on the hands and feet. • Symptoms include small painful ulcers in the mouth

especially on the tongue and sides of the mouth, small thick-walled water blisters located on the palms, soles and webs between fingers and toes, small blisters or red spots on the buttocks, fever around 102 degrees F.

• Treatment includes liquid antacid for mouth pain, soft diet of mostly liquids, pain/ fever medication

FYI: The Rash of H-F&M is not contagious. In most cases, child must be sent home for 2 to 3 days but can return after fever is gone.

Identifying Common IllnessesOther common illness in early care include• Vomiting, Diarrhea and Constipation• Fevers or headaches• Pus-like, runny, itchy, pink or red eyes • Vaginal or urinary tract infections• Hives, widespread or diaper rash

Note: These illness are often treatable by hydration, proper cleaning of infected area, over-the-counter medication, creams or medicated ointments. However, when some cases become severe, frequent, chronic or progress for several days, advising parent to seek medical attention is the best solution.

Common Injuries and treatment:• Poisoning: Make child spit out poison or remove with your fingers. Call 9-1-1 or a poison

control center. Move poisonous substance away from child but keep for medical information.• Burns (including sunburns): Soak or run cool water to relieve pain from burn then cover with

sterile gauze.• Cuts, Scrapes, or bruises: Rinse area with water, wash with soap and warm water. If wound is

oozing or bleeding, apply pressure with sterile gauze for five minutes until bleeding stops, clean with water, apply antibiotic ointment and cover with sterile gauze. If bleeding does not stop, call 9-1-1. Apply ice to bruises to reduce swelling.

• Human, animal, or insect bites or stings: Wash immediately with soap and water for five minutes. Apply pressure with sterile gauze if bleeding. Seek medical attention if animal runs risk for rabies or other diseases. If stinger is above skin, remove it. If below skin leave it alone. Apply ice if pain persists.

• Head or body injuries: Call 9-1-1 if child is knocked unconscious for longer than a minute, if seizure occurs, if there is major bleeding that can’t be stopped, if there are obvious sprains, bruises or fractures that require medical attention. Otherwise, apply an ice-pack and have child rest the injured area.

• Choking: Perform the Heimlich Maneuver if necessary, assist the child if s/he is able to cough the choking object up naturally. FYI: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the third leading cause of death for children under the age of 1.

DECAL requires sleeping infants to be placed on their backs on a firm tight fitting mattress in a sturdy and safe crib in order to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Top 10 ways to prevent illness and injury of children in your care

1. Frequent washing of adult and child’s hands.2. Frequently sanitizing room, mouthed toys, diapering and

toileting areas.3. Proper behavior guidance and supervision in and outdoors.4. Keeping updated child records and files.5. Providing adequate food and proper nutrition.6. Ensuring adequate rest or sleep of child.7. Encouraging child fitness, mobility and activity.8. Tracking and reporting cases of communicable diseases.9. Performing daily health checks; immediate notification and

dismissal of children with infectious diseases.10. Maintain roster and notify parents of immunization records of

children.

DECAL Rules and standards of care for Child Care Learning Centers

• Exclusion of Sick Children: a child should not be accepted nor allowed to remain at the center if the child has an oral temp of 101oF and another contagious symptom such as rash, diarrhea, or sore throat. When a child shows symptoms of illness, the child shall be moved to a quiet area away from other children. Supervision and necessary attention should be maintained. Parent should be notified.

• Medications: Except for first aid, personnel shall not dispense prescription or non-prescriptions medications to a child without specific written authorization from the child’s physician or parent. Such authorization will include date, full name of the child, name of the medication, prescription number, if any; dosage (dates to be given & time of day to be dispensed); and signature of parent.

DECAL Rules and standards of care for Child Care Learning Centers

• Toys: Toys should be age-appropriate, non-toxic, lead-free, too large to be swallowed, free of sharp edges or points, free of rust, and easily cleanable.

• Equipment: All indoor and outdoor furniture, activity materials, and equipment shall be used in a safe and appropriate manner by employees and children, in accordance with manufacturer’s intended use and recommendations. All equipment and furniture shall be free from hazardous conditions, kept clean and secure, and placed to permit children’s freedom of movement without risk of danger, accidents, or collision.

• Playgrounds: Playgrounds shall be kept clean, free from litter, and free of hazards. Proper ratios and supervision should be provided during outdoor play at all times.

The Dirty Dozen ChecklistStay in the free and clear of the following 12 safety hazards

1. Improper protective surfacing

2. Inadequate use zone3. Protrusions and

entanglements4. Entrapments in

openings5. Insufficient spacing6. Trip hazards7. Lack of supervision

8. Age/ developmental inappropriate activities

9. Lack of maintenance10. Pinch, crush, shearing

and sharp edges11. Platforms with no

guardrails12. Equipment not

recommended for public playgrounds

Health and SafetySuggestions for teachers

Sanitation:• Sanitary practices /guidelines are in place to prevent the spread of disease. Examples:

diapering/toileting are in an area separate from food service areas, caregivers and children wash their hands to prevent contamination

• Bottles and food are handled in a safe and sanitary mannerNutrition:• Caregivers have basic knowledge of nutrition and age appropriate feeding practices• Nutritional needs of infants and toddlers are met; caregivers work closely with families

to ensure proper amounts and types of foods are served in a consistent mannerToileting:• Assist child in toilet routine and hygiene• Do NOT:

– Place child on toilet/potty for prolonged time periods– Use harsh language– Punish child for soiling clothing– Use physical force to put child on toilet/potty against their will– Leave a child unsupervised on toilet/potty

Health and Safety10 Suggestions for teachers

Providing a safe indoor and outdoor environment involves:1. Active engagement with children2. Responding to accidents and emergencies with urgency3. Helping children to develop safe habits4. Developing safe routines through Developmentally Appropriate Practice5. Visually monitoring playing and sleeping children6. Providing appropriate cribs, cots or mats for sleeping children7. Performing positive discipline strategies8. Maintaining open communication with parents9. Keeping guards on electrical outlets; keeping medicines and poisonous

substances out of reach 10. Maintenance of a hazard free environment for children both indoors and

outdoors. The environment is planned so materials and equipment are age appropriate and in good repair

ReferencesBright from the Start. (2012). Rules for childcare learning centers: Chapter

591-1-1. Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. Cox, J. (2010). Health and Safety for Infants and Toddlers. National head

start training and technical assistance network. Retrieved from http://www.arheadstart.org/start/reports/Healthandsafetyforinfantsandtoddlers4142010.pdf

Keller, K.T. (2001). Health care for infants and toddlers. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.

Schmitt, B.D. (2011). My child is sick! Expert advice for managing common illnesses and injuries. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.

Zibners, L. (2009). If your kid eats this book, everything will still be okay: How to know if your child’s injury or illness is really an emergency. New York, NY: Wellness Central.