Section 1: Safety Practices and Policies

Section 1: Safety Practices and Policies

     Preschool aged children are faced with hazardous and dangerous situations every day.  Their curiosity and youthful braveness tend to lend greatly to these situations.  Choking, poisoning, being left unattended, falls, and drowning are among the most serious hazards they can face.

Choking Hazard

     Preschool aged children have a high rate of choking incidence.  At this age almost everything they

pick up ends up in their mouth at some point.  Also, choking can occur when food is not properly

chewed or they are hurrying to eat so they can go play.  Taking steps to help prevent choking is

vital. Instructing the child to eat slowly and remind them to chew well.  We used to have a little

song when my children were younger where I would sing “Chew, chew, chew.  Chew your food” and

they would smile and sway back and forth while they chewed.  As for other choking habits, making

sure there are no small toys or objects in arms reach of the child.  Also, making sure you are trained

in the Heimlich maneuver so in case there is a choking incident you can perform this life saving

rescue.

Poisoning

     Across the United States, around 800,000 kids are rushed to the emergency room each year

because of accidental poisoning. Of these, around 30 children will die, according to the Consumer

Product Safety Commission. (Global Children’s Fund, 2015).  Children don’t see danger when they

look at pills and chemicals.  They see pretty colors and shapes and what looks like candy or juice.

  There are several steps you can take to prevent poisoning.  First, talk to your child about the

dangers of medicines and cleaners. Next and most importantly, put medications and chemicals up

and away from a child’s reach.  Install safety latches to prevent a child from being able to open

drawers and cabinets.  Also, have the poison control number listed in a spot where everyone knows

and it is readily available.

        

Children Left Unattended

     As adults we have all walked out of a room where are children are playing and think “Oh they will

be fine, I’ll just be a minute.”   And in most cases that is true unless there are safety hazards that a

child can find before you return.  My niece stuck a spoon in a light socket and was shocked and it

happened within a few seconds of her mom leaving the room.  Now it is impossible to watch a child

all the time and they do need to learn to play on their own but there are things that can be done to

keep your child safe.  First, it is vital to safe proof your home.  Use socket covers, make sure there

aren’t electrical cords that could be trip hazards, keep items that could be choke hazards up and

away from there reach, and also continually check in on your child.  Using things like baby monitors

or even video monitors can also be beneficial in helping an eye on your child.

Falls

     Let’s face it, kids fall.  It is something that is just going to happen but taking steps to help prevent

as many falls as possible is relatively easy.  Making sure you child has shoes with good grip soles can

help them maintain traction and prevent falls on wet or slippery surfaces.  Putting down mats or

carpet in slip areas of your home can also help a lot when trying to prevent falls.  Encouraging your

child to pick up play areas and keeping high traffic areas to keep them free from tripping hazards

such as toys, shoes, and other items they may leave laying around.

Drowning

     Drownings can occur in mere minutes and in ways that you may not even realize.  Drowning can

occur in just a few inches of water.  Supervision is vital and is the main precaution you can take to

prevent drowning.  Never leave your young children alone in the bathtub, swimming pool, or other

areas where there is a body of water.  Small children should use life preservers to ensure their

safety.  Fencing in a pool area and making sure there is a lock on the gate to the pool.  Also, an

alarm on the gate is an added precaution that can greatly reduce the risk of drowning.  Take the

time to educate your child on water safety and start at a young age.  Children who have been

educated on the do’s and don’ts are less likely to be involved in drowning incidence. 

References

Global Children’s Fund, 2015.  “CHILD SAFETY IN THE HOME, Parent’s Guide to Child Safety”, Retrieved on June 4, 2016 from http://www.keepyourchildsafe.org/child-safety-book/child-poisoning-facts-and-statistics.html