Safety of the young in today’s time is a major cause of concern for families, especially nuclear families. With disappearing traditional support system of grandparents and relatives, the concerns only grow stronger. Modern living has several advantages and disadvantages at the same time. It provides freedom to nuclear families but, at the same time, denies them the security and comfort that comes with an extended or a joint family environment.
Simultaneously, when children start to grow and start stepping out of the safety offered by homes, it is important to ensure their safety at such times. So, taking care of this aspect of a child’s life is crucial to protect them from harm and prevent accidents.
In such places where a child is not under the direct supervision of a parent, the responsibility of the safety of the child passes on to the person or the team that is handling the child. Individuals working at playschools need to take care that the child always stays safe.
Safe supervision
Such places need to follow and implement safety standards and procedures. These include adequate supervision. So, there should be enough adults present to supervise children and ensure their safety at all times. The ratio of adults to children will depend on the age of the children, but a general rule of thumb is one adult for every four children.
Another important aspect of ensuring safety of a child in such places is the presence of safe equipment. Play equipment given to children should be regularly checked and maintained to ensure it is in good working order. Any damaged or broken equipment should be immediately removed and repaired or replaced. There is a high chance that a broken piece will be swallowed by a child while playing with it.
Appropriate surfacing is also needed where the ground around play equipment should be soft enough to cushion falls, such as rubber or sand. Hard surfaces like concrete should be avoided, as they increase the risk of injury. The play area should be fenced off to prevent children from wandering away and to keep them safe from traffic or other hazards outside the play area. Keeping a safe perimeter for children is extremely important for children attending playschools or playgroups.
Rules need to be clear
Clear rules and guidelines are a must in such spaces. These should be established for children and adults too who are using the play area. These should include rules for behaviour, equipment use and steps to follow in emergency situations. A First Aid kit should be readily available in case of accidents or injuries.
Many serious injuries and effects of injuries can be prevented if the first line of treatment of first aid is given in time. In fact, in cases where children are involved, the staff must be adequately trained to handle such situations which are extremely delicate and quickly worsen if not controlled in time.
All adults working with children should undergo background checks to ensure they are safe to be around children. This is a very important step in ensuring safety of a child who is completely dependent on care-takers and support staff at such places. By following these safety standards, playgroups can create a safe and fun environment for children to play and learn in.
Preventing accidents
In case of joint families, there’s always some family member or the other who usually looks after the child in the absence of the parent. In rural areas, often neighbours also pitch in with help and a child is never left unsupervised. In cities especially in nuclear families this is absent. So, couple either send the child to playschool or hire a nanny or a caretaker to attend to the child in their absence.
Accidents can happen among the young at home and in school. But there are several steps that can be taken to prevent and manage them. It’s important to first understand the kind of accidents and injuries young children are prone to in order to address them properly. In nuclear families, there’s a high chance that a nanny will take care of the child at home if both parents are working. So, understanding this is crucial for the safety of the child.
One of the most common accidents a child faces is a fall. Infants are still developing their coordination skills and balance and may be unsteady on their feet. To prevent falls, make sure the floor is clear of any tripping hazards such as toys or loose rugs. Parents and teachers must install gates or barriers to block off the stairs or other dangerous areas where a child might wander off.
Young children are naturally curious and may put small objects in their mouth. One must keep small items out of reach and supervise children during playtime to prevent choking. Also, make sure to cut food into small, easy-to-swallow pieces so as the child is able to chew it properly and eat it.
Another common injury seen in young children and infants is a burn. Infants can easily touch hot surfaces or grab hot objects as they are not aware of the property of an object. To prevent burns, make sure hot items, such as coffee mugs or iron, heating equipment, etc., are kept out of reach of the young. Using protective covers for electrical outlets and securing cords so they can’t be pulled down are also recommended for the safety of the child.
Common injuries
Young children and infants may accidentally ingest toxic substances, such as cleaning products or medication. So it is very important to keep toxic substances out of their reach. A child ingesting or spilling a poisonous or a harsh chemical is very common and highly injurious to the child.
So, one must make sure that such chemicals and items are not lying around in the house loosely or withing the reach of the child. Also, make sure to have the number for Poison Control agencies and medical emergency in case a mishap happens.
Infants may bump into objects or accidentally cut themselves. Keep sharp objects out of reach and supervise infants during playtime. In the event of an accident, it’s important to stay calm and seek medical attention if necessary. Having a first aid kit on hand and knowing basic first aid procedures, such as how to treat cuts and burns always helps.
By taking precautions and being prepared, infants and young children can be kept safe and healthy. It’s also important to have clear communication with parents and caregivers about any accidents that do occur and how they are handled.
A child is resilient when it comes to injuries but also fragile and care must be taken at all times to prevent injuries and accidents that may hurt the child or cause a disability or a life-long impairment that will affect the child for the rest of his or her life.
With the decline of joint families, traditional wisdom and knowledge has also declined that was generally useful in bringing up a child safely and securely.