Keeping Children Safe & Healthy * Safety Policies & Environment (1/7)

**Keeping Children Safe & Healthy * Safety Policies & Environment (1/7)**

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A safe child care program is one organized with the child’s care in mind. This can range from child-proofing electrical outlets to putting a gate across stairways. A safe family child care or child care center also has clear spaces where children can move and play away from potentially dangerous appliances or poisonous substances.

This activity will give you an opportunity to assess the safety in your classrooms and centers. You will then develop a plan to remedy any problems you discover. This safety checklist is made up of licensing requirements.

Review and fill out the checklist to the best of your ability.

1. Center is free of lead-based paint.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

2. Permanent markers, rubber cement and paints are stored out of reach of children .

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

3. Cleaning supplies, poisons and other toxic substances are in clearly labeled containers where children cannot reach them and are separate from food items.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

4. Medications are stored out of reach of children.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

5. Items stored on open shelves will not harm children or cause exits to be blocked. All falling hazards are secure on shelving.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

6. Telephone is easily accessible to staff.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

7. Electrical outlets are either inaccessible to children or are tamper resistant. (Plastic plug-type caps may not be used in child care settings.)

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

8. Care areas, hallways and stairways have sufficient light.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

9. The room temperature is between 68-75 degrees in winter and 68-82 degrees in the summer.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

10. Stickers or decals are on glass doors and windows at child’s eye level.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

11. Portable furniture is stable so it cannot become a falling hazard.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

12. All materials in infant and toddler rooms are large enough so that children cannot choke on them.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

13. Kitchen and bathroom floors are non-absorbent and easily cleaned.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

14. Carpets are free of rips, holes and seams and are safely secured around the edges. Throw rugs on linoleum or polished wood floors have a non-skid backing.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

15. Stairways, steps and ramps have handrails.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

16. Safety barriers are in place to keep young children from stairways.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

17. Accordion-style baby gates are not used.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

18. Children can open doors leading in and out of different care areas and to the outside.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

19. Doors are not locked or too heavy to operate.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

20. If the bathroom door locks, the key hangs next to the door or there is an insert pin.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

21. All interior wood surfaces are covered or finished.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

22. All light bulbs are shielded.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

23. Warm water for children to wash in is at least 85 F ° and no more than 120F°.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

24. Pathways leading to exits inside and out are kept clear.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

25. Carpets are not used in the bathroom or where children use potty chairs.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

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Review and fill out the checklist to the best of your ability.

26. If there is a bathtub, it is made inaccessible to children.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

27. Waste baskets are next to all hand washing sinks.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

28. Wall and baseboard heaters are shielded.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

29. Bathroom has proper ventilation.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

30. Flashlights are readily available in case of a power outage.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

31. Pets are healthy and their shots are up-to-date.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

32. Smoke detectors are working and checked at least quarterly. Extra batteries are available.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

33. Fire extinguishers are inspected yearly.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

34. Monthly fire drills and evacuations are held and records kept. Quarterly disaster drills are conducted/recorded.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

35. The play area is located on an environmentally safe site with adequate drainage and is free of standing water.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

36. The play area is free of poisonous plants, thorny bushes and shrubs, etc.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

37. First aid kit is fully stocked and readily available. Expiration dates of contents are checked regularly.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

38. The play area is noticeably divided by age group and maximum group sizes are maintained.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

39. There is approved ground cover under climbing equipment and swings.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

40. There is sufficient space around the playground equipment for children to be able to move around safely.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

41. Playground equipment is stable and secure to the ground.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

42. There are no exposed, sharp objects.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

43. The play area and equipment is free of litter, animal feces, nesting insects and birds.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

44. The play area is fenced from vehicular and pedestrian traffic, wooded areas, water, and other dangerous sources. Fencing is secure, stable and tall enough to form an age appropriate enclosure.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

45. Shade is available in the play area.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

46. The space between guardrails less than 3 1⁄2” or more than 9 inches so that children cannot become entrapped.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

47. Surfaces are slip resistant where necessary, e.g., platforms/decks and access steps and ramps.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

48. Sand areas have secure covers when not in use.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

49. Separate areas with appropriate surfaces are provided for wheeled toys.

Make a note of this, and develop a plan to fix the safety concern as soon as possible.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

Review your responses. Make a note of the items that you marked NO or DON'T KNOW.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

Liability

It may seem to some as though it should only be the owners or directors responsibility. However, if a child is injured while in your care because of environmental safety issues that you were aware of and did not take action to correct, then YOU are negligent and can be held liable.

Environmental safety is your responsibility.

Page 4

Questions and Answers

Your Score

Total Points

49 Possible

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