Child Safety and Protection

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, nearly 300 children under 4 years old die every month in the United States because of accidents - most of which can be prevented.  Children injure themselves in a variety of ways including in play spaces, on doors and gates, in kitchen and cooking areas and on inappropriate toys or broken toys to name just a few.

Play space injuries can be avoided in a classroom by making sure toys are properly stored when not in use and the room arrangement is designed to include a variety of activity centers with adequate space for children to explore.

Many children are injured each year because of the careless use of doors and gates.  To avoid these injuries, make sure that doors and gates are kept closed.  Never leave an open door unattended, remind parents and teach children to open doors carefully and slowly to avoid injuring a child playing on the other side.

To prevent injuries in cooking areas, it is best to restrict access to adults only, few things are safe for young children in the kitchen area.

Toys play a major role in the early childhood setting.  Children love toys.  However, many children are injured each year by toys.  There are four major factors affecting toy safety: toy selection, toy maintenance, toy storage, and supervision and interaction.

Some toys can pose a risk if precautions are not taken. Select good quality toys that promote safe play.  Consider the children's age, interests, and skill level when selecting toys.  Follow age and safety recommendations on toy labels and read the label, as it contains important play guidelines.

Toys go through a lot of wear and tear in the early childhood setting.  Proper maintenance of toys can prevent and reduce injuries.  Inspect toys on a regular basis for damage or potential hazards and repair or discard damaged toys immediately.

Teach children to put toys away safely on shelves after playing.  Proper storage will ensure that toys intended for older children will be stored separately from toys for younger children and reduce the number of injuries to children.

Supervising children while they play is essential to avoiding injuries. Never hesitate to stop reckless or improper play behavior.  Always let the children know when their play is dangerous and demonstrate or discuss the proper play behavior.

Learn more about child safety and protection. Visit ChildCare Education Institute to discover over 100 online child care training courses that meet the continuing education requirements of the child care industry.  Register for a sample course and try online learning today!