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Preschool Education Articles

FALLS AND FALLING OBJECTS

 

____	Position tables, chairs, shelving, and other furniture so that they cannot be toppled easily.
____	Screen windows, and make sure they open from the top or have a barricade in front.
____	Provide railings on stairs, porches, decks, and lofts.
____	Equip steps with tread mats or carpet to prevent slipping and a handrail that children can reach.
____	Secure carpets and rugs so that children cannot trip.
____	Use safety gates to block access to stairs and other dangerous areas.
____	Do not use infant walkers especially near stairs.
____	Use only high chairs that have a wide base so they cannot tip easily.
____	Use high chairs with a waist strap.
____	Never leave infants in infant carriers that are left on a high surface such as a table, counter, or chair.
____	Keep sides of playpens and cribs raised always. Make sure that crib sides cover at least three-fourths of a child's height.
____	Keep electric cords to lamps and appliances up and out of the way.
____	Keep unused rooms, basement, attic, etc., locked when children are in your home.
____	Make sure that all doors to rooms and closets can be unlocked from both sides.
____	Place heavy items (like an iron or skillet) out of a child's reach.
____	Teach children safe and unsafe areas for climbing. Shelves or counters are not for climbing.
____	Wipe spills from floors immediately.
____	If your garage door has an electric opener, make sure that it has a safety feature that causes the door to go back up when it touches an object or person in the way.

POISON

 

____	Keep trash covered and out of the reach of children.
____	Keep all cigarettes, cigarette butts, and all tobacco products away from children. Tobacco is poisonous when eaten.
____	Provide a non-smoking environment for children.
____	Keep perfumes and cosmetics and other drug products in high cabinets with safety latches or locks.
____	Do not store alcoholic beverages, cleaning supplies, cosmetics, pet supplies, medicines, vitamins, gasoline, paint thinner, fertilizer, weed killer, and other poisons in areas used by children.
____	Store hazardous products in their original containers. Do not transfer them to used food or beverage containers or to a food storage area.
____	Keep purses out of the reach of children.
____	Do not use insect poisons, rat poisons, or weed killers when children are present. Dispose of leftover poisons immediately.
____	Follow directions and caution warnings on drugs, cosmetics, and chemicals.
____	Make sure that walls, furniture, and toys have lead-free paint only.
____	Check to make sure that there is no peeling paint on walls or furniture.
____	Have your home checked for radon-an odorless gas that seeps through the soil into homes. Inexpensive test kits can be purchased at most hardware stores. Call ISU Extension for more information.
____	Check toys and materials to make sure they contain nontoxic, nonpoisonous materials. Look for the "CP" or "AP" seal signifying safe art material for children.
____	Keep Syrup of Ipecac in the first aid kit.
____	Flush old medicines down the toilet.
____	Store medicines immediately after use in a high, locked, or otherwise child-inaccessible space.
____	Teach children not to taste things like berries, roots, plants, pills, or tablets without your permission.
____	Label all house plants and remove poisonous plants.
____	Remove all outdoor plants that might have poisonous parts.

CHOKING AND SUFFOCATION

 

____	Make sure that toys have no small parts that could be broken off and swallowed.
____	Use balloons only with close adult supervision. Pop and dispose of balloons immediately after use.
____	Do not allow children under 3 to play with any toy that is less than 11/4 inch in diameter (about the size of a half dollar).
____	Make sure that mesh-sided playpens have holes no larger than 1/4 of an inch.
____	Remove hanging crib toys when infants are able to pull themselves up.
____	Remove plastic wrap on crib mattresses.
____	Do not feed children under 4 nuts, hard candies, popcorn, pretzels, or raw carrots. Cut hot dogs or sausages into small bites and NOT round slices.
____	Put infants to sleep in a crib or a play pen and NEVER on an adult bed, waterbed, thick rug, pillow, or bean bag.
____	Teach children to chew their food well and to eat only when sitting down.
____	Do not store clothing in dry cleaning bags that are accessible to children.
____	Store all plastic bags including small bread sacks out of reach of children.
____	Remove doors or lids from old freezers, refrigerators, and cars and car trunks.
____	Remove latches and lids from toy chests. Install a slow closing hinge and make sure the chest has ventilation holes.
____	Do not allow children to use or play with objects that have long cords. This includes pacifiers with strings attached, long telephone cords, old jewelry, necklaces, and long scarves.
____	Tie hanging cords on draperies or blinds up high and out of reach.
____	Install clotheslines out of reach of children.
____	Use only safety gates that have a straight topped edge and a rigid mesh screen. Do not use old accordion style safety gates.
____	Space stair railings and crib rails 23/8 inches apart.
____	Make sure that crib mattresses fit tightly with no more than two finger widths in the gap between mattress and crib frame.

BURNS, ELECTRICAL SHOCK, OR FIRE

 

____	Do not heat bottles and baby food in the microwave.
____	Stir and check all microwave heated foods for "hot spots" before serving to children.
____	Set the water heater in your home to a temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit or less.
____	Cover unused electrical outlets with safety caps.
____	Block electrical outlets when possible with some type of barrier or furniture.
____	Fit Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) on electirical outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor areas to prevent risk of electrical shock when in contact with water.
____	Keep electrical cords for appliances (irons, toasters, radios, etc.) out of reach.
____	Make sure that children cannot get to the back of a television set.
____	Place stereos, VCRs, computers, and other electrical equipment up high and out of reach.
____	Store lighters and matches out of reach.
____	Use screens or barriers around fireplaces, wood stoves, heaters, radiators, hot water pipes, or furnaces.
____	Never leave children alone in a room with an open fire, heater, or hot stove.
____	Replace used and worn electrical cords and equipment.
____	Keep pots and pans on the back side of the stove where children can't reach them. Turn handles to the back.
____	Install smoke detectors and test them every month.
____	Keep an approved fire extinguisher in a secure area.

DROWNING

 

____	Never leave children alone in the bathtub or swimming pool or with water play.
____	Keep toilet lids closed.
____	Empty mop buckets, ice chests, or pails of water immediately after use. (Children can drown in 2 or 3 inches of water.)
____	Do not allow children to play near ponds, storm sewers, or excavations.
____	Protect, cover, and childproof wells and cisterns.

CUTS AND PUNCTURES

 

____	Keep all sharp objects out of reach (cooking knives, silverware, cooking utensils, scissors, razors, plastic wrap boxes, glass bottles or drinking glasses, knitting needles.
____	Do not allow children to play with sharp tools or around lawn mowers and power saws.
____	Mark glass windows and doors with decals or tape in order to be more visible. If possible, install safety glass.

AUTOMOBILE SAFETY

 

____	Do not allow children to play near or behind a parked car.
____	Use seat belts and car seats when traveling by car.
____	Never leave children alone in an automobile.
____	Do not give foods while riding that could cause choking.
____	Cover hot vinyl seats with a large towel or sheet.
____	Keep purses and other dangerous items out of reach.
____	Teach children to sit calmly and quietly while in an automobile or bus. Leave toys that encourage vigorous activity at home or in the trunk.
____	Teach children to look both ways when crossing the street and to hold the hand of an adult.

OUTDOOR SAFETY

 

____	Cover sand box when not in use.
____	If an outdoor play area is near a street, parking lot, pond, well, or railroad track, fence the area.
____	Keep gates closed and install childproof latches.
____	Check play area routinely for trash, sharp branches, tools, lawn equipment, or animal feces.
____	Teach children not to play near the street and to ask for help if toys roll into the street or driveway.
____	Keep outdoor play equipment at least 6 feet away from pavement, fences, trees, buildings, or other play equipment.
____	Make sure that surface area under play equipment is impact absorbing (such as 1 foot deep sand, pea gravel, or wood chips) and extends at least 6 feet beyond the edge of equipment.
____	Cover all protruding bolts or screws with plastic safety caps.
____	Cover chains on play equipment with plastic tubing unless openings are less than 5/8 inches.
____	Close hooks completely on swings.
____	Lock storage sheds, barns, and garages.
____	Require children to use helmets with bicycles, skateboards, or roller blades.

Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care-
NNCC. (1993) Oesterreich, L. Holt, B.G., Karas, S. Home Safety Checklist
Iowa Family Child Care Handbook. pp.127-131. Iowa State University
Extension. Ames, Iowa.