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Welcome to the January
2007 issue of the Health and Safety E-News from
the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Click
here to view previous issues of E-News or to sign
up to recieve this newsletter.
This issue includes information and action steps for
you on the following topics:
Issues to Consider Before Transporting Children
Whether to transport a child or not is an important
question, and this decision should be made thoughtfully.
Here are some things to think about:
- Use school buses or vehicles built to school bus
standards. Do not use 15-passenger vans as they are
not safe for transporting groups of children. Examine
each vehicle; remember that loose items should be
tied down as they can cause damage if the vehicle
has to stop suddenly.
- Select drivers carefully. Make sure they have a
current driver's license, excellent driving record,
no criminal record, and the ability to communicate
with passengers.
- Meet the staff to child ratios required in your
state when transporting children. Drivers should focus
entirely on driving, leaving the supervision of children
to other adults in the vehicle. These other adults
can pass the time by singing songs, playing games,
telling the children stories, or encouraging them
to talk about what they see. Music appropriate for
children can be played in the vehicle, as this can
be calming and enjoyable.
- Look at pick-up and drop-off locations, and discuss
plans for loading and unloading with children and
other passengers before entering and leaving the vehicle.
Watch and supervise carefully when children get in
and out of vehicles.
- One staff member in each vehicle should be trained
in pediatric first aid, rescue breathing, and first
aid for choking. Provide a first aid kit and a resource
list for each vehicle. The resource list should include
local emergency numbers and information on each child
(name, birthdate, medical conditions, medications,
and contact numbers for their parents/guardians).
For additional
information and resources on issues to consider before
transporting children, click here.
Strategies for Transporting
Children Safely
Each child should be safely secured in a seat belt,
car safety seat, or booster seat appropriate for their
age, weight, and height. Each car safety seat should
fit the vehicle, have never been in a crash, and be
properly positioned and installed. Here are some things
you can do to keep everyone safe:
- Set a good example; always wear your seat belt and
make sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled up every
time. Place all children in the back seat and use
the proper vehicle restraint for each child. Make
sure the child is fastened correctly with a safe and
snug fit. Click here
for details. Never try to change a car safety seat
to fit a child with special needs. A physical or occupational
therapist can help you to find or customize the right
restraint for a child with special needs.
- Always supervise each child directly by sight and
hearing; never leave a child unattended. Children
should be counted when getting into a vehicle and
counted when they exit a vehicle (to prevent a child
from being left behind).
- The driver should not use earphones, cell phones,
or listen to loud music. Cell phones should only be
used in an emergency.
- Post and follow a written transportation policy.
Share this policy with drivers, child care providers,
and parents so that everyone is clear about the safety
practices to be followed in your program.
For additional
information and resources on strategies for transporting
children safely, click here.
Educating Others About
Child Passenger Safety
Share important transportation safety policies, information,
and resources with caregivers/teachers, drivers, parents,
and children.
- Give drivers and staff copies of the written transportation
policy, and talk to them about their role in carrying
out what is included in this document.
- Ask adults what they would do if:
- An appropriate car safety seat isn't available
for a specific child.
- There are too many children to be transported
safely in a vehicle.
- A driver or staff person scheduled to go on
a trip cancels or is absent.
- A child has a special need or is injured and
properly restraining them is not possible.
- Someone in a position of authority (or even
a personal friend) makes the wrong decision or
urges them to disregard the policy "just
this once"
- Have a local police officer or Child Passenger Safety Technician talk to the children,
caregivers, and parents. Child Passenger Safety Week
is in September, so this is a good time to focus on
this topic!
- Help children learn through puppet shows, videos,
stories, art activities, and play.
- Sometimes it may be necessary to cancel a field
trip or refuse to transport a child. When the safety
and protection of children is involved, it's always
best to make the "safest" decision. Remember,
"It is better to be safe than SORRY."
For additional
information and resources on educating others about
child passenger safety, click here.
Health and Safety E-News is provided by the
American Academy of Pediatrics with support from the
federal Child Care Bureau and Maternal and Child Health
Bureau (Grant #U46MCO4436) to provide information on
evidence-based practices that promote the health and
safety of children in child care. If you are not yet
signed up to receive this newsletter, click here.
If you don't want to receive this newsletter, send an
e-mail to childcare@aap.org. |
