2 27 6 6 Part Two Creating a Safe and Healthful Environment
Early childhood teachers
need to teach children sun safety
precautions. Always apply
a broad-spectrum sunscreen
30 minutes before going outdoors.
The sunscreen should provide a sun
protection factor (SPF) of at least 15
or higher. Apply wherever the skin is
showing. Reapply every two hours
if the children remain outdoors. Also
reapply sunscreen after water play
for maximum protection.
While outdoors, promote sun
safety by teaching the shadow rule.
If the children cannot see their
shadows, they should seek shade
or go indoors. The children should
also be encouraged to wear hats
and sunglasses designed to block
UV radiation. Protecting the eyes is
important since too much sun can
cause cataracts. Wearing a hat with
a brim will help protect the eyes,
face, ears, and back of the neck.
Weather or Disaster
Emergencies
Blizzards, hurricanes, fl oods, fl
electrical storms, tornadoes, and
earthquakes are examples of weather
or disaster emergencies. All these
conditions pose safety threats for
the children and staff. Therefore, it
is important to have an emergency
plan for possible weather or disaster
emergencies. The plans you formulate
will depend on the geographical area
in which you are located.
In areas where natural disasters
occur more often, evacuation
drills should be practiced with
the children on a monthly basis.
Evacuation procedures need to
become routine for the children.
In some weather emergencies,
you may decide to close the school.
You need to have a plan in place
for notifying parents of such an
emergency. Special arrangements
may need to be made for
transporting the children.
Be prepared for weather
emergencies. Always keep a
battery-operated radio and
flashlights in a convenient spot. fl
For some weather emergencies,
blankets, water, food, and a first aid fi
kit should also be available.
Poisonings
Studies show that children under
fi ve years of age account for almost fi
two-thirds of poisonings that occur
each year. Nearly any substance
can, under certain conditions, be
poisonous. The National Safety
Council claims that the average
residence contains over 40 poisonous
products. Figure 11-7 lists many of 7
these poisonous products.
Children eat many things adults
would not think of placing in their
mouths. There may be times when
you are not sure whether a child has
eaten something. For instance, you
see a child playing with an empty
aspirin bottle. The child has powder
around the mouth. When in doubt,
always assume the worst. If the
child has eaten the aspirin, failing to
act may result in great harm.
f children d will be in the preschool If
classroom r during a regularly c
sched du led weather, fi re, or disaster s
drill in your school, c prepare them ahead of dr ill in yo
time. Expose children to the type of alarm
signal they w wi ll hear and practice escorting
children to the proper location. This will
help children feel comfortable when the
actual drill takes k place.
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