Chapter Three Outdoor Safety Safety Policies for Outdoor

Chapter Three: Outdoor Safety

Safety Policies for Outdoor Environment l l l 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 Environment, cont. l Outdoor Child Care Environment l Playground Equipment Safety l Travel and Traffic Safety l Water Safety

Examining Outdoor Child Care Environments l l Falls Motor vehicle and other transportation accidents Poisons Equipment

Outdoor Environmental Hazards l l Barriers Poison Control Ø Including toxic plants Ø Pesticides, BBQ l Insects l Temperature

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

Developmental Level l Infants and Toddlers l Preschool children l School Age

Space l l 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 Ø When equipment figured in, usually = 75 sq. ft.

Shared Space l l Daily inspection Extra caution in public multi-use facilities

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

The Neighborhood l l No traffic, noise pollution, little risk for safety = better neighborhood Traffic, noise, risk for safety = -risk neighborhood at

Playground Equipment Safety l l l Climbing Equipment, Slides, and Swings Riding Toys Sandboxes Other equipment Ø Seesaws, trampolines, homemade equipment (wooden, etc. ) Become familiar with potentially harmful areas (Fig. 3 -2)

Traffic and Transportation Safety l l As pedestrians, in cars, on bikes and crashing Pedestrian Safety At child care Ø Drop-off and pick-up plan Ø

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

Bicycle Safety Helmets l Riding safety l Other riding conditions l

Water Safety l Water Hazards l Children’s Behavior Around Water l Water Safety Guidelines (Table 3 -7) l Water Safety Behaviors (Table 3 -8)

Implications for Caregivers Observation l Apply ABCs to outdoor environment Supervision l Provide for checks and balances l Good communication throughout child care

Education l Caregivers l Children l Parents

Reality Check: Sun Safety l l 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: Neighborhood Violence l l l 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 l Developmental level l Availability of resources for help l Ability of children to access resources l

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