Health and Safety Tips for Home Child Care Providers
Childproofing comes first
Childproofing your home will help
prevent accidents. Even if you already
have small children of your own, there
may still be areas in your home where
you may have missed potential safety
hazards.
Step one is to 'crawl or toddle' in a
child's 'shoes' so to speak. Get down
on the floor and look at the world a
baby or toddler sees in your house. At
this perspective, you could very well
find safety hazards that you've missed
from your adult vantage point.
The list of safety tips below is just a starting point, but it will give you some good ideas for childproofing your home:
- Put away all breakables.
- Buy a fire extinguisher and install it according to fire department regulations.
- Cover sharp table and counter corners with guards.
- Repair or remove damaged wires on cords.
- Put outlet covers on electrical outlets.
- Use placemats rather than table cloths to keep kids from grabbing the tablecloth.
- Do not throw away plastic bags in indoor trash cans.
- Store all cleaning materials so that kids can't find or reach them.
- Keep knives and sharp utensils stored away from kids.
- Store all personal hygiene products so that kids can't ingest them.
- Keep baby cribs away from windows with drapery or blind cords.
- Keep stuffed animals out of cribs.
- Put your hair dryer and curling iron away so kids can't find them.
- Check, and/or reduce hot water heater temperature to prevent burns.
- Install baby gates in appropriate places such as stairs.
- Check your state's licensing requirement paperwork or consult your local fire department for more tips on safety proofing your home child care.
Regarding emergencies in your home child care
As a home child care business owner, you're responsible for the well-being of the children in your care. Never hesitate to call 911 in an emergency. Post emergency numbers in obvious places in your home. Store the poison control number in your cell phone, so you have it at the playground and at outings. Also store each parent's cell phone/work numbers in your phone. Teach older children how to use the phone so they can call for help if needed.
Most states require potential home child care providers to take a first aid/cpr course before they obtain their license. Knowing how to treat an emergency situation may not only save a child's life, but give you and the parents peace of mind.
Learn more about childproofing your home and creating a safe environment for your family and child care kids:
