Safety in the Workplace

(cont’d...)

Heather Solloway B.F.A., M.A.

November 11, 2013.
Safety in the Workplace…
Preventing Hazardous Situations in ECE:
Classroom and Surrounding Areas
4 Dimensions of a High Quality Daycare:
• 1) Positive interactions between educator and child.
• 2) Positive interactions between educator and parent.
• 3) The structuring and layout of the daycare and
classroom.
• 4) The structuring and diversity of activities offered to
children.
 Furniture Quality
Furniture should always be in good
condition (ex: not broken, damaged,
or limited in quantity).

Furniture should be arranged in a

way for children and adults to move
around easily without injury.

Furniture should be child-sized and

include a few adult-sized pieces as
well.
 Quality of Materials
• Toys, games, and art materials should always be in good
working condition.

• Non-toxic and hypo-allergenic art materials only should

be used in the classroom (ex: glue, paint, non-latex
smocks/gloves, etc…).

• Materials should be stored away neatly and out of

children’s reach.
Daycare Safety Guidelines
To prevent daycare injuries, the following hazards
should be avoided:
• Openings that could trap a child’s head or limbs.
• Lack of surfacing and “fall zones” under and around climbable
equipment.
• Mismatched sizes and design of equipment.
• Insufficient spacing between equipment.
• Tripping hazards.
• Components that can pinch, scrape, or crush body tissues.
• Sharp points or corners.
• Unfinished or damaged wood, which may cause splinters.
• Protruding nails, bolts, or other components that could
entangle clothing or rip the skin.
• Hazardous small parts that may become separated.
• Flaking paint.
 Class Discussion:
Do you think these daycare safety guidelines
(from the previous slide) are easy to implement?
Why or why not?
Daycare Safety Checklist
The following items must always be checked for safety:
1. Cribs
2. Soft bedding
3. Playground surfacing
4. Playground surface maintenance
5. Child safety gates
6. Window blind cords
7. Drawstrings on children's clothing
8. Recalled children's products
Daycare Safety Checklist
(cont’d…)
We will go through the checklist item by item…
 Cribs and Soft Bedding
Safety Tips:
• Look for a label on the crib that shows when the crib
was made.

• Check the crib often to make sure the frame is solid.

Loose screws should also be tightened regularly.

• Check the crib to make sure the sides lock into

place.

• Place the crib away from windows, curtains, blind

cords, lamps, electrical plugs, and extension cords.

• Health Canada recommends that soft mattresses,

pillows, comforters, stuffed toys, and bumper pads
not be used in cribs.
 Cribs and Soft Bedding
(cont’d…)
• According to the Educational
Childcare Regulation (p.6)...

Article #37:
When using a crib with posts and
slats in your daycare establishment,
you must ensure that the crib is not
portable and that is meets the
standards in the Cribs and Cradles
Regulations under the Hazardous
Products Act.
 Playground Surfacing and
Maintenance:
Safety Tips:
• A playground should have a deep, soft surface instead
of one with a dirt or grass surface.

• Sand, wood chips, or soft rubber mats are some good

examples. These will help protect a child when s/he falls.

• The equipment should have good handrails, barriers, and

railings to prevent falls.

• Check for broken glass, garbage, and sharp edges.

Glass and garbage MUST be picked up and discarded
before children play.

• If your students are old enough, they should be taught to

stay away from sharp edges or any other potential dangers.
 Playground Surfacing
and Maintenance:
(cont’d…)
• According to the Educational
Childcare Regulation (p.6)...

Article # 40:
The outdoor play space and its
equipment must meet the
Canadian Standards Association
of Children’s Playspaces and
Equipment.
Woodchips under equipment
 Group Work:

In groups of 2, create a circle time activity for 4-year

olds to reinforce the concept of playground
safety. You will present your ideas to the class
when you are finished.
 Child Safety Gates
Gates can help reduce the risk of falls!

• Install safety gates properly:

The locking mechanisms should always
be placed on the side, away from the
child. Gates should be installed at the
top and bottom of the stairs.

• Use effective gates:

Once your child's chin reaches the top of
the gate, the gate is no longer effective or
suitable.
 Window Blind Cords
• Cut the cords short and tie them out of reach of small
children:
Cut the cords short and tie them high up.

• Cribs, beds, high chairs, and playpens should never be

placed by window blind or curtain cords:
It easier for children to reach the window blind or curtain
cords if bedding is close to windows.

• Use cordless window coverings:

Different window coverings, such as drapes
without cords or roller blinds are much safer
for children.
 Window Blind Cords
(cont’d…)
Health risks:
• Children can become entangled in blind cords, which can
quickly lead to strangulation and even death. There have
been many reports of strangulation deaths and near-fatal
incidents caused by blind cords. Strangulation can occur
when children:

• Place their heads through a cord loop

• Wrap a cord around their neck

• Pull inner cords out of the window covering,

creating a strangulation hazard
Drawstrings on Clothes
• Remove all drawstrings from
children's clothing, including
hoods, shirts, hats, and jackets.

• Tuck in all clothing that can get

caught on playground equipment.

• Always supervise children when

they are playing.
 Recalled Children’s
Products:
• It is important to keep informed and
up-to-date with children’s or general
products that have been recalled.
You can do so at…

www.healthycanadians.gc.ca
Here are Some Examples...
 Recall from August 2013
IKEA ® recalled approximately
40,000 of their Sniglar and Kritter
Junior Beds ™.

• Hazard Identified:
The metal support rod connecting
the guard rail to the bed frame can
break, which posed a laceration
hazard.
 Recall from June 2013
This recall involved Jeep Liberty®
brand strollers. It affected only those
strollers manufactured from June
2010 through September 2011.

• Hazard Identified:
The inner tube of the wheel could rip
open, causing the wheel rim to
fracture and a piece to fly off.
This posed a projectile risk of bodily
injury or property damage.
 Recall from January 2013
Fisher-Price® recalled their Newborn Rock ’n Play
Sleepers™, which were designed for babies up to 25
pounds. The product was composed
of a metal rocking frame and a removable,
washable fabric cover.

Hazard Identified:
Mold could develop between the removable seat
cushion and the hard plastic frame of the sleeper when
it remained wet or moist or if it was not cleaned
frequently. While mold was not present at the time of
consumer purchase, it could easily have developed
after use of the product.
 Recall from February 2010
This recall involved several styles of baby
wind chime toys distributed by the company
Tiny Love®. The recalled toys were
multicolored and came in the shape of
different animals.

Hazard Identified:
The wind chimes could be pulled apart,
revealing sharp metal rods that posed
puncture and laceration hazards
to children.
 Recall from February 2010
This recall involved charms sold as part of
Tinker Bell's Lil' Tinker Bracelet® sets. The
charms were attached to a cord using a
metal ring and cylinder and were included
with the set as separate accessories that
children could attach to the toy bracelet.

• Hazard Identified:
The cylinder that was used to attach the
charm to a loop of the bracelet may have
contained lead in excess of the allowable
limit. Lead is toxic if ingested by young
children and can pose serious health risks.
Group Activity (3 x 3)
Now that you have learned about different product
recalls and what makes a child’s product safe versus
unsafe, you will design your own product!

Here’s the catch... You must design a product that is

UNSAFE for children and explain why it should be
recalled. As always, be creative and have fun!
 Reassuring Parents of Safety
Standards prior to Child
Enrollment:
1. Tell parents what the caregiver to child ratio is.
2. Make parents aware of who is licensing the daycare.
3. Have certificates displayed.
4. Let parents know how long the facility has been in
operation.
5. Share how many years of experience and training the
director and/or educators have.
6. Show parents that primary caregivers and other staff
members have undergone CPR training by providing them
with a photocopy of the card.
 Reassuring Parents of Safety
Standards prior to Child
Enrollment
(cont’d…):
7. Let parents know how accidents and injuries are handled in
the daycare.
8. Give parents the opportunity to observe the caregivers in
action prior to enrollment. This will give parents a chance
to see how they interact with the children as well the
daycare hygiene procedures.
9. Let parents know about discipline techniques and explain
how they will be informed about their child's behavior.
10. Let parents know about field trip procedures.