Reading 5
Marotz, L. R., Cross, M. Z., & Rush, J. M. (2005). Health, safety, and nutrition for the young child (6th ed., pp.
193-207). Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning.

REFLECTIVE THOUGHTS
As adults, we often take great efforts to create environments and rules that will protect children from harm. Yet, it can be perplexing to understand why children continue to get themselves into situations that are unsafe. Why do you think this occurs? Are adult’s and children’s expectations and perceptions the same? (Try getting down on your hands and knees to understand how children view their environment.) How do cultural differences affect one’s definition of a safe environment? TABLE 8-2 How to Conduct a Fire Drill
Develop an Evacuation Plan
• Plan at least one alternate escape route from every room.
• Post a written copy of the plan by the door of each room.
• Inform new personnel.

Assign Specific Responsibilities
• Designate someone to call the fire department, preferably from atelephone outside of the building. Be sure to give the fire department complete information: name, address, approximate location of the fire inside the building, whether or not anyone is inside. Do not hang up until the fire department hangs up first. • Designate several adults to assemble children and lead them out of the building; assign extra adults,
e.g., cooks, secretaries, to assist with evacuation of younger children.
• Designate one adult to take a flashlight and the notarized emergency cards or class list.
• Designate someone to turn off the lights and close the doors to the rooms.

Establish a Meeting Place
• Once outside, meet at a designated location so that everyone can be accounted for.
• DO NOT GO BACK INTO THE BUILDING!

Practice Fire Evacuation Drills
• Conduct drills at least once a month; have some of these be unannounced.
• Practice alternate routes of escape.
• Practice fire evacuation safety, e.g., feel closed doors before opening them, select an alternate route if hallway or stairwells are filled with smoke, stay close to the floor (crawl) to avoid heat and poisonous gases, learn the stop-drop-roll technique.
• Use a stopwatch to time each drill and record the results; work for improvement.

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Sources

Common Health Effects

ISSUES TO CONSIDER – Security in Child