Potentially Hazordous Situations Pertaining to Preschoolers.

1. Children running down slick sidewalks instead of walking.

     Child care providers need to be sure to explain to the children that walking to and from any area is the safest policy. Providers should always be leading their group by example and ensure that all children are reminded to walk.

Providers need to check sidewalks before children arrive and clear them of debris and hazardous materials.

Parents need to follow up at home and discuss with their child the rules for school and that walking to and from activities promotes safety.

2. Children walking out onto a road without looking for traffic.

    Providers must discuss the safety rules concerning stop, look and listening before crossing a street.  Practice with children so that a general understanding is developed.

Providers should always be present whenever a child is at a street crossing to help ensure proper procedure is followed.

Send home policy to parents and encourage follow up with their children to ensure continuity.

3. Hand Washing

    Providers need to instruct and review hand washing policy with children at least once a month to ensure that it is being learned and carried out. The spread of germs causes illness and both children and adults can actively stop the spread of germs by frequently washing their hands.

Families should also be given hand washing policies and asked to follow up with them at home.

4. Children hiding under or behind furniture.

    Providers must set up a classroom in such a way as to best ensure that children can not get behind or get stuck behind furniture. Providers should also encourage children not to hide and stay hidden in the classroom so that the provider can know at all times where they are in case of a fire or emergency.

Parents should be asked to discuss these same issues with their child and asked to not encourage hiding in the classroom – even when the child is expecting their parent to find them at pick up time.

5. Children using toys or sticks as weapons.

    Providers must explain to children that using toys or sticks to pretend that they are weapons is dangerous and could potentially injure their fellow classmates. Providers must be sure to clear play areas of debris that could be used for such play and only have toys available that are safe and could not be used to injure other children.

Parents should also discourage the use of weapons or pretending to use weapons at school.