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GEAR UP: Safety Gear in Childcare
Childcare providers have a responsibility to not only keep children safe, but also to teach children about safety. Safety habits and safe behavior learned in childcare settings can carry over into home, school, and other community settings.
Each year, numerous children are injured from activities such as biking, skating, skateboarding, and skiing. For example, recent statistics indicate that in one year, more than 350,000 children under age 15 were treated in emergency departments due to injuries related to bicycle riding, and 213 children died. One way to prevent injury and death is to "gear up" with proper safety gear
In most family childcare programs or small center settings, only a few activities that need safety gear will take place, such as use of wheeled toys or roller blades. However, a variety of other activities may take place during field trips or other special events. Providers who serve older children (e.g., through after-school programs and summer camps), also may have a variety of activities for which safety gear is indicated.
Helmets
When worn properly, helmets can prevent serious injury and save lives. Beginning in February 1999, all bike helmets manufactured or imported for sale in the U.S. must meet new standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission so look for CPSC labeling on helmets. The CPSC standards replace the voluntary ANSI or SNELL standards. Be cautious when accepting used helmets from yard sales or donations. The helmet may have unnoticed cracks or weakened areas due to previous impacts, and, therefore, would not provide the full level of protection.
It is important that children position the helmet properly on the head by covering the forehead to protect the front part of the brain, the nose and face, and teeth. When the chin strap is buckled, the helmet should fit snugly, with little movement.
Preschool and young children should wear helmets every time they play on a wheeled toy, such as a tricycle or wagon. Although the risk of serious head injury is small for a child riding a tricycle on a level surface within a fenced playground, it can result in injury to the forehead, face, or teeth. By requiring helmet use, adults teach children the importance of safety gear. This also encourages personal responsibility and promotes self-confidence as the child shows how he or she can do something to prevent injury.
The act of putting on the helmet on and taking it off promotes self-help skills. For low-risk toddler and preschool activities, the primary purpose is education and modeling. Instead, have several helmets (at least one helmet per wheeled toy) adjusted to various sizes. If the helmets are of different size (toddler, youth small, youth medium), color, or design, the children will quickly learn which helmet fits most comfortably. The novelty of wearing a helmet may appeal to young children; however, it is equally important for children not to wear helmets when playing on playground equipment, climbing trees, or participating in general play activities. Helmets can catch on tree limbs or play equipment, causing strangulation.
Children who participate in higher-risk activities, such as biking, horseback riding, skateboarding, roller blading, ice skating, or skiing, should always wear properly fitted helmets. Although helmets are recommended for indoor activities such as ice skating or roller skating, many skating rinks do not require them, so you may have difficulty getting children to wear helmets. One way to promote helmet use is to consider the safety risk (as well as the liability risk) and enforce a written "helmet use policy" for all high-risk activities.
Wrist, elbow, and knee guards
Wrist, elbow, and knee guards help protect vulnerable joints during activities such as roller blading or skateboarding. The wrists are easily fractured when a child falls forward and tries to "catch" himself. Kneecaps are fractured from forward falls to hard surfaces while elbows may take the force of a fall backwards. Injuries such as these are not only painful, but may reduce the child's ability to participate in sports and can cause permanent damage. Assist children with safety gear to assure that guards are positioned properly to protect the joint and securely buckled in place.
Water safety
Approved, personal floatation devices (PFDs), such as life jackets, should be worn anytime children participate in water sports such as boating. Even children who know how to swim should wear approved PFDs. Look for the U.S. Coast Guard certification on the label.
Eye protection
Woodworking activities and splatter-painting are examples of two activities that require protective eye gear. Provide plastic safety goggles to keep small particles or paint out of the eyes.
Cleaning safety gear
All safety gear should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Follow your cleaning policy for toys, furniture, and other items in the childcare environment.
Head lice and ringworm of the scalp can be a concern when sharing helmets. However, it is no more a problem than other activities in which children share articles or work closely together, such as in whispered conversations. Cleaning with soap, warm water, and a disinfectant, and allowing to air dry, should be sufficient. Avoid using toxic chemicals on helmets or other safety gear.
Safety gear used from young ages can put in place healthy habits for safety that can last for many years. Gear up for outdoor activities by encouraging the use of proper safety equipment.
By Dr. Charlotte Hendricks, Healthy Childcare Assistant Editor|
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