Being Prepared For Emergencies And Other Injuries:( Dixie R. Galvez) ( 16085E Lancashire Dr. Loxahatchee Florida, 33470 U.S.A

                           : Being Prepared For Emergencies And Other Injuries:

    No day care provider can be entirely prepared for every accident and injury that can occur at the day care facility. But many actions can be taken to limit the number of accidents and injuries. Care providers can maintain a safe environment by doing the following.

    = Enforce age appropriate safety Rules.

    = Provide alert Supervision.

    = Educate Children about safety Rules.

Even after taking the above steps to achieve a safe environment, Accidents will take place. Therefore, being prepared for the unexpected is often critical to the health and well being of a child. And yet, surprisingly, emergency preparedness is frequently neglected from many day care programs.

Establishing emergency policies and plans requires more than simply purchasing a first aid kit. Emergency policies result from numerous preparation efforts, Including providing a safe environment by childproofing the establishment, having staff participate in health and safety training programs,  and having developed emergency plans prior to caring for children. Emergency preparedness should also include:

    = Written Records

    = Emergency Arrangements

    = Safety Checklists.

(Written Records)

It is imperative to have written, Notarized parental permissions forms authorizing care providers to seek emergency medical care if they are unsuccessful in contacting a child's parents or guardians.  In fact, many states require written records. The following should be prepared in a child's record before enrollment.

    = Parental permission allowing the care provider to seek medical assistance for the child.

    = Appropriate documentation of insurance coverage for the child,

    = Health Records indicating specific allergies or health conditions.

    = Name and number of the child's primary health care physicians and hospital of preferences.

    = Emergency contact numbers for parents and,

    = Alternate emergency contacts if the parents are unavailable.

Here is an example of an accident report form which is used by some day care centers. You would be expected to use a form supplied by the center's director. However, if you start your own child daycare home, You may wish to adapt this form for your own use.

___________________________________________________________________________________
    

                                                  :  ACCIDENT REPORT:

Child's Name:__________________________________________________________________

Date of Incidents:_______________________________Time of Incidents:______________________

Nature and Location of Injury:_________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

What was child Doing:_________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

First Aid Administered:________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Additional Information:_______________________________________________________________

Was Parent's Notified?________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Provider Signature:_________________________________________ Date:____________________

Parent Signature:___________________________________________Date:____________________