273 2 3 Chapter 11 Promoting Children’s Safety
an extinguisher in or near each
classroom. Another extinguisher
is needed in the laundry area.
Check your state’s licensing
regulations and insurance company
recommendations for the placement
of fi re extinguishers. fi
The director is often in charge
of buying fire extinguishers for the fi
center. Most states require early
childhood facilities to use the ABC
type of fi re extinguisher. Before fi
buying extinguishers, contact
your local fire department. The fi
fi re marshal can tell you which fi
extinguisher is best suited for your
center’s unique needs. You will want
one that fights the types of fires fi fi
your center is most likely to have. In
addition, ask the fire marshal how fi
to maintain the extinguisher and
recharge it after use.
Schedule a staff in-service
on fi re extinguisher use prior to fi
the opening of the center. Some
directors prefer to have a local
firefighter fi conduct this in-service. fi
After this orientation, update
all staff members yearly (and
newly hired members) on fire fi
extinguisher use.
Check the condition of each
fi re extinguisher monthly. Note fi
any problems you find. Replace fi
immediately any extinguisher with
any of the following conditions:
★ pressure gauge indicating the
higher or lower pressure than
recommended
★ blocked nozzle or other parts
★ missing pin or tamper seal
★ dents, leaks, rust, or other signs
of damage
Fire Drills and Evacuation
Procedures
Most state licensing rules and
regulations require fire and disaster fi
drills. Most states also require drills
to be scheduled at least once a month.
Vary the time of day (including nap
time and day of week. These drills
will prepare staff and children for a
real fi re or other emergency. During fi
drills, use the daily class roster to
take roll. It is an important tool for
checking on the evacuation of all
children and their safe return indoors.
In addition, most states require
monthly inspection for fire hazards fi
Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, Car
poisonous gas. It is odorless and invisible.
Symptoms of poisoning include headache,
fatigue, nausea, and dizziness. When such
fuels as gasoline, natural gas, propane,
oil, and wood burn incompletely, carbon
monoxide forms. Heating systems and
cooking appliances that burn fuel can
also be a source of carbon monoxide
when they do not function properly. Proper
installation and venting along with regular
professional inspection s and maintenance
of such equipment m can help prevent carbon
monoxide formation.a
Some public facilities that burn fuels in
heating systems and cooking appliances
use carbon monoxide n detectors to warn
facility occupants n when carbon monoxide
is in the air. When the alarm goes off,
immediately move o to a fresh-air location
and call emerge en cy personnel.
P t C b M
Safety First Safety First