Five potentially hazardous safety threats common in early childhood education environment Infant/Toddlers I chose are Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), choking, falls, lack or attention, and playground design. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death without warning of an apparently healthy infant from 1 month to 1 year old during sleep. The most important way to reduce this risk is to place infants on their back to sleep. “Studies in Europe in the 1980s found that babies who were put to sleep on their stomachs in the prone position, were twice as likely to die from SIDS as children placed on their sides” (Robertson, 2010, p. 53).
SIDS strikes without warning to children of all racial, ethnic, and economic groups, SIDS is found to be rated higher in American Indian and African American infants than white infants (National SIDS/Infant Death Resource Center [NSDRC], 2004). There are several risk factors that contribute to SIDS, they include: placing infants on their stomach to sleep, infants should be placed on a firm crib mattress without a pillow, there should be no blanket, pillow, bumper pad or toys placed in the infants crib while sleeping. This helps reduce the risks for SIDS and suffocation. Unfortunately, the risk of injury or death cannot be eliminated entirely, but the use of preventive measures can reduce risk. Teachers and caregivers can provide a safe sleeping environment as possible with proper preparations.
Another potential hazard that threatens the safety of infants and toddlers is choking: choking is a major hazard to infants and toddlers who still place small objects in their mouths. Ensuring that small toys and other objects are too large for the mouth is important to prevent choking hazards. Some objects are safety pins, tacks, coins, staples and screws. There are certain toys such as, marbles jacks, balloons and pacifiers. A device for measuring small parts to prevent choking is a “choke tube”, the item will be good for parents and caregivers to use, if an item passes through the tube it is too small, therefore it’s a hazard to the child. There are certain foods that cause infant and toddlers to choke also, grapes, peanuts, hot dogs, candy and peanut butter. It is good safe practice to dice or chop their foods where this help parents and caregivers practice safe preparation and the risk of choking will be reduced.
Another potential hazard is falls, falls are a concern with infants, infants falling down stairs and from windows are common falls. Infants are helpless and must be carefully watched to protect them and prevent risk. Infants are beginning to roll; therefore they can fall if they are left unattended, even if the safety strap is used. Teachers must be in compliance with all regulations affecting the safety in care from the licensing boards.
Another potential hazard is equipment Indoor environment includes risk that are hazards from household items, toys, animals, stoves, paint, foods, electrical outlets and cords. “Unsafe teacher practices unmonitored conditions, and children’s behavior are based on developmental levels, physical abilities, and emotional health” (Robertson, 2010, p. 81). All staff should work together to keep children visible at all times. Equipment should be designed closer to the ground, shorter slides for children safety. The materials recommended for safety are pine or bark mulch, pea gravel, soft or loose sand, resilient surface under and around them to help cushion children and prevent serious injury. The last potential hazard is lack of supervision. Toddlers are at a cognitive level that allows them new ways of thinking and solving problems. They require careful constant monitoring and potential hazards that should constantly be anticipated. They have accomplished their ability to test their environment, they must have constant supervision. “The teacher should supervise all aspects of the environment for risks posed by accessories, behaviors, and conditions” (Robertson,2010, p. 161). The lack of supervision is the absence of preventive, protective, and promotional safety measures.
Teachers should have adequate child to staff ratio. Through education, promotion, and role modeling teachers can help children learn safe practices. Activities for children should be age appropriate and present no risk or harm to them. Teachers can also help parents establish a safe and more secure environment in the home. For parents to ensure safety of the child at home they should make sure all small pieces are out of harm way to prevent choking, put toddler gates on stairways and keep all doors locked. Remove sharp edged furniture from areas children frequently uses, never leave children strapped alone. Make sure all furniture and equipment are secured. Education for teachers, children, and families can provide measures of security. “Prevention is the single most significant factor in risk management for safety” (Robertson, 2010, p.86).
Reference:
Robertson, C. (2010). Safety, Nutrition, and Health in Early Education (4th Ed) Belmont: Wadsworth/CENGAGE Learning.
