Chapter 5: Health, Safety, and Emergency Response

Chapter 5: Health, Safety, and Emergency Response

Child Care Today, Chapter 5: Health, Safety, and Emergency Response

• The health and safety of children and child care staff can be protected by using universal precautions.

• A safety policy describes policies and procedures for ensuring children and staff safety.

• Certification and training in first aid and other emergency skills help staff handle emergencies.

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• sensitivity

• prevention

• immunizations

• pathogens

• universal precautions

• biohazardous

• hypothermia

• frostbite

• heat exhaustion

• screenings

• safety policy

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• risk management plan

• toxins

• food service sanitation certificate

• abdominal thrust

• cardiopulmonary resuscitation

• automated external defibrillation


Promoting Children’s Health


• Positive environmental factors such as good nutrition, daily exercise, regular health checkups, and clean, safe home and school environments contribute to the health and wellness of children.

• During the early childhood years, illness, injury, and poor nutrition can interfere with children’s normal brain and body development.

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immunizations

Vaccines that protect children from certain diseases.

Health reports include records of immunizations and information about known conditions, diseases, or other problems.

Health Records and Emergency Forms

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Health Records and Emergency Forms


Health records list the results of health checks and screenings. Health records include

• known conditions.

• diseases.

• immunizations.

• developmental growth.

• allergies.

• medications.

• medical problems or injuries.

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pathogens

Disease-causing organisms; germs.

Pathogens include bacteria and viruses.

Limiting Contagious Illness

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Limiting Contagious Illness


• Children are subject to many infectious diseases such as colds, influenza, and strep throat.

• Everything touched, such as toys, food, and other people, is a possible source of illness.

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universal precautions

Infection-control guidelines staff must follow to protect themselves from infectious disease and to limit its spread.

Universal precautions must be followed to prevent direct contact with bodily fluids such as urine, feces, and vomit.

Using Universal Precautions

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biohazardous

Materials that come into contact with bodily fluids.

Biohazardous materials include diapers, diaper wipes, used disposable gloves, and blood-soaked clothes.


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Hand Washing• Limit the spread of contagious diseases by frequent and

thorough hand washing.

Environmental Disinfection• Clean, sanitize, or disinfect hard surfaces.

Wearing Gloves• Wear fresh gloves when you come into contact with

bodily fluids.

Disposal of Biohazardous Materials• Double-bag and tie biohazardous materials.

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hypothermia

Occurs when the body’s temperature gets dangerously low.

Shivering is a sign that a child may be experiencing hypothermia.

Limiting Weather-Related Illness

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frostbite

The freezing of body tissue, usually the feet, hands, face, and ears.

Even if dressed in warm and waterproof clothing, children may still get frostbite if they are outside for long periods in severely cold weather.


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heat exhaustion

A form of physical stress on the body caused by overheating, resulting in dizziness and fatigue caused by the loss of fluid and salt through profuse sweating.

Heat exhaustion can be prevented by not allowing children to play outdoors for long periods during very hot weather.


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Child care professionals need to protect children from extreme weather illnesses and risks:

• Hypothermia

• Frostbite

• Heat exhaustion

• Heatstroke

• Sunburn

• Air pollution

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Handling and Reporting Illness


• Even in the best of environments, illness occurs.

• Child care professionals work to limit the spread of disease and care for ill children.

• Child care professionals record health information to comply with health codes and licensing requirements.

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screenings

Examinations given to a group of children to look for one specific health problem.

Vision and hearing screenings usually start at age three.

Health Checks and Screenings

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Check daily for

• energy level.

• appetite.

• coughs.

• congestion.

• rash.

• watery eyes.

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• inflamed throat.

• fever.

• runny nose.

• tiredness.

• crankiness.


Common Childhood Illnesses

Disease Symptoms Precautions

Pink eye(conjunctivitis)

Redness in one or both eyes. Possible discharge from eyes that forms a crust at night. Eye itchiness.

Child should stay home while symptoms are present. Contagious through hand-to-eye contact.

Ear infection Infant may pull at ear and cry. Older child will say that ear hurts. Possible temporary hearing loss. Fever.

Child should stay home until fever-free for 24 hours.

Common cold Stuffy or runny nose, sneezing or coughing, mild fever, sore throat, diminished appetite.

Child should stay home during first three days symptoms are present. Contagious through eye or mouth contact.

Influenza (flu) Sudden onset of fever, chills, nausea, tiredness, and aching muscles. A sore throat and stuffy nose may occur.

Child should stay home while symptoms are present. Contagious through eye or mouth contact.

Child Care Today, Chapter 5: Health, Safety, and Emergency Response 18




Restricting Attendance• Children with a contagious illness should stay home.

Reporting Illness and Informing Parents• Report contagious diseases to the public health

department.

• Inform parents about outbreaks at the center.

Medication Procedures• State licensing laws may restrict dispensing medicine in

child care settings.

• Parents complete and sign a medication permission form.

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Special Health Concerns


• Some children have health conditions that require special attention.

• Care and medication details should be noted in enrollment records and discussed with parents.

• Child care professionals need to respond to a child’s individual needs.

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sensitivity

Reaction; capacity for physical sensation or response.

Children with severe allergies have an extreme sensitivity to common substances such as peanuts or animal fur.

Conditions That Impact Child Health

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Allergies• Some allergic reactions require medical assistance or are

life-threatening.

Asthma• Coughing, wheezing, rapid breathing, and shortness of

breath are signs of an asthma attack.

• Asthma attacks can be triggered by an allergic reaction, dust, air pollution, physical exercise, smoke, and pets.

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Diabetes• Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not

produce insulin.

• Diabetes is usually controlled through medication and diet.

Drug Exposure• Prenatal drug exposure affects a child’s health and

overall development.

• Drug-exposed children require special care to address possible developmental delays.

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Giardiasis• Giardiasis is a contagious intestinal disease caused by a

parasite that results in diarrhea.

• Proper diapering and hand washing can prevent the spread of giardiasis.

Head Lice• Head lice are small insects that live close to the scalp on

human hair.

• Signs of lice include itching at the roots of the hair and small red bite marks on the scalp.

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• HIV attacks and slowly weakens the immune system.

• A person with HIV has frequent illnesses that the weakened immune system cannot easily fight off.

• This cycle of repeated illness is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

• HIV can be treated with medication, but at this time, there is no known cure for HIV or AIDS.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

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Enrollment of Children with Health Conditions


• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects children’s rights to be enrolled in child care whenever reasonably possible.

• Information about a child’s health is limited to the primary teacher and the program director.

• Staff should work cooperatively with parents to receive training in order to provide the child with the best care possible.

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Ensuring Children’s Safety


• The most important safety precaution in group child care is adequate and continuous supervision of children.

• Children should always be monitored and cared for in safe conditions.

• Children need teachers who model good safety practices during classroom activities.

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Safety Risks for Children


• Children are exposed to hazards in both indoor and outdoor environments.

• Staff members must make sure the furniture, toys, and play structures are safe.

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safety policy

A statement of the rules and procedures that protect children and staff.

Early childhood program directors develop a safety policy to ensure safe conditions.

Developing a Safety Policy

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A safety policy addresses

• the facility.

• transportation.

• toy safety and safety inspections.

• emergency and evacuation procedures.

• rules for children's conduct.

• positive methods of discipline.

• dealing with strangers.

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risk management plan

Emergency procedures established in writing.

Creating and following a risk management plan helps staff and children remain calm and respond quickly to any emergency.


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Risk Management Plans

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Risk management plans contain procedures for

•fire.

•weather emergencies.

•bomb or other violent threats.

•health-related epidemics.

•keeping survival supplies on hand.




Fire Evacuation Drills• Fire evacuation diagrams must be posted.

• Hold fire drills monthly.

Severe Weather and Disaster Drills• Electrical storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards,

floods, earthquakes, mudslides, wildfires, and explosions require an evacuation plan.

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The American Red Cross and local safety agencies can provide information on preparation and response.



prevention

Taking action to keep something from happening.

Careful observation is important for accident prevention.

Injury and Accident Prevention

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• The number and severity of incidents can be limited with prevention.

• Always be alert to safety hazards that put children in danger.

• Respond quickly and calmly to prevent children from hurting themselves or others.

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Safety Inspections • Inspect indoor and outdoor areas daily.

• Use a checklist to check toys and equipment for wear and damage.

• Report hazards and dispose of litter.

Transportation Safety• Conduct vehicle safety inspections and use appropriate

equipment and safety restraints.

• Ensure that drivers are legally licensed.

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• Park vehicles in a safe, off-street area.

• Give each child a name tag with the program’s name and telephone number.

• Invite parents along to increase supervision.

• Count the number of children before leaving on the field trip and count them several times during the trip.

Field Trip Safety

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Safety Documentation


Staff members need to be familiar with forms pertaining to

• injuries.

• suspected abuse.

• releasing children.

• emergency treatment waiver.

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Staff Health and Safety


toxins

Contagious diseases and harmful substances.

Toxins can cause various illnesses, from rashes to flulike illness.

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Ensuring Staff Health and Safety


• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines help employers prevent work-related injuries and illness.

• Staff members should obtain first aid and CPR certificates.

• Many states require fingerprinting and a criminal background check.

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• Sick leave

• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

• When a staff member is absent from work, it is the director’s responsibility to find another qualified worker to fill the position.

Leave Policies and Staff Substitutes

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food service sanitation certificate

Received after passing a state-administered test covering proper food-handling practices.

Managers and staff may be required to obtain a food service sanitation certificate to demonstrate that they are qualified to safely handle food.


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• Food service staff must be regularly trained in proper food-handling and sanitation practices.

• Food service staff should follow the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) food safety guidelines: clean, separate, cook, chill, and serve.

Certifying Food Service Staff

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Emergency Skills


• Staff need emergency skills training to respond to life-threatening injuries and situations.

• The American Red Cross provides first aid, CPR, and other emergency skills training that can be used with infants, children, and adults.

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Treating Minor Injuries


Keep a first aid kit on hand for minor injuries:

• bandages

• gauze pads and strips

• adhesive tape

• antiseptic wipes

• antibiotic ointment

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• cold compress

• scissors

• disposable latex or vinyl gloves

• tweezers


First Aid Basics

Injury What to DoWhen to Seek Medical

Attention

NosebleedsHave child lean slightly forward. Squeeze lower half of the child’s nose with a tissue for about 10 minutes. Repeat if bleeding has not stopped.

If bleeding cannot be stopped after 20 minutes.

Open Wounds Place sterile gauze pad on cut and apply pressure until bleeding stops. Clean the wound with soap and water. Apply an antiseptic and cover the wound with a bandage.

If wound is very deep, bleeding cannot be stopped, or there is an object in the wound.

Bumps and Bruises

Apply a cold pack for 10 minutes to minor bruises. A hard blow to the head requires immediate medical attention.

If child loses consciousness, complains of a headache, or vomits.

Splinters If necessary, break the skin with a sterilized needle to expose splinter. Remove splinter with sterilized tweezers. Then apply antiseptic and bandage wound.

If splinter is glass or deeplyembedded in skin or the eye.

Burns For burns that produce just redness (first-degree burn), place burned area under cold water or apply a cold, wet cloth. Do not put ointment on the burn.

If burned area forms blisters (second-degree burn) or has broken or blackened skin (third-degree burn).

Insect Stings Remove stinger by scraping with a sterile blunt-edged object. Wash area and apply a cold pack.

If child shows any signs of an allergic reaction.

Child Care Today, Chapter 5: Health, Safety, and Emergency Response 46



abdominal thrust

A quick, upward thrust with the heel of the hand into the abdomen that forces air out from the lungs to expel an object caught in the throat.

Choking victims should be treated with an abdominal thrust. An abdominal thrust should not be used on infants because of the possibility of internal injury.

Treating Serious Injuries

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cardiopulmonary resuscitation

To help the heart circulate blood, chest compressions and gentle puffs of air are given when a person does not have a detectable heartbeat or pulse.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can keep a person alive until emergency medical professionals arrive.


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automated external defibrillation

A procedure used when there has been a disruption in a person’s regular heart rhythm.

Many states require that early childhood providers be trained in automated external defibrillation (AED).


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• Young children tend to put all kinds of objects into their mouths.

• Choking victims need immediate attention.

• For children older than one, use abdominal thrusts.

• For infants, use back blows and chest thrusts.

Choking

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• If a child stops breathing but has a heartbeat, staff must use rescue breathing to breathe for the child.

• Staff members must be certified in order to perform rescue breathing.

Rescue Breathing

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• Chest compressions and gentle puffs of air are given to the person to help the heart circulate blood.

• CPR can keep a person alive until emergency medical professionals arrive.

• Staff members must be certified in CPR before they can apply the technique.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

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• This procedure is used when there has been a disruption in a person’s regular heart rhythm.

• AED requires an electrical shock that reestablishes a normal heart rhythm.

• Early CPR helps circulate blood to body organs while an AED is prepared for use.

Automated External Defibrillation

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Immediately call a poison control center if you see these signs:

•burns around or in the mouth and throat

•nausea or vomiting

•burns or rash on the skin

•burning or irritation of the eyes or blindness

•choking, coughing, headache, or dizziness

Accidental Poisoning

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Handling Emergency Evacuations


• Immediately escort children out of the building or to the designated safe place.

• Designate one care provider to take the sign-in sheet to account for children when safe.

• When in the safe place, notify parents.

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Describe how child care professionals can limit the spread of contagious diseases.

Review Key Concepts


• Hand Washing—Limit the spread of contagious diseases by frequent and thorough hand washing.

• Environmental Disinfection—Clean, sanitize, or disinfect hard surfaces.

• Wearing Gloves—Wear fresh gloves when you come into contact with bodily fluids.

• Disposal of Biohazardous Materials—Double-bag and tie biohazardous materials.


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Explain the practices child care professionals use to check for and report illnesses.

Review Key Concepts


• Check daily for health problems.

• Hold regular health screenings.

• Restrict attendance of sick staff and children.

• Report illnesses to health agencies and parents.

• Follow medication procedures.


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Define seven special health conditions that can affect children.

Review Key Concepts


• Allergies: extreme sensitivity to a common substance.

• Asthma: a lung condition that makes it difficult to breathe.

• Diabetes: the body does not produce enough insulin.

• Drug exposure: affects health and development.

• Giardiasis: intestinal disease caused by a parasite.

• Head lice: small insects that live on the scalp.

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): attacks and weakens the immune system.


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Summarize the rules and procedures in an effective early childhood program safety policy.

Review Key Concepts


• A safety policy addresses facility, transportation, and toy safety and safety inspections.

• A safety policy also covers emergency and evacuation procedures, rules for children's conduct, positive methods of discipline, and dealing with strangers.


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Identify procedures to maintain the health and safety of all staff members.

Review Key Concepts


• Staff must consistently follow universal precautions to reduce their exposure to contagious disease and harmful substances.

• All staff members are required to submit a physician’s report verifying their good health.

• Each staff member must receive a negative result on a tuberculosis test annually.

• Staff should get regular immunizations such as influenza, tetanus, and Hepatitis B.


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List the emergency skills training needed by staff members.

Review Key Concepts


• basic first aid

• abdominal thrusts

• back blows and chest thrusts

• rescue breathing

• cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

• automated external defibrillation (AED)

• Follow instructions from poison control center.


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Chapter 5Health, Safety, and Emergency Response

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Chapter 5: Health, Safety, and Emergency Response