SAFETY AND
ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT FOR
YOUNG CHILDREN
CSZD2313
CHAPTER 3
Unintentional Injuries
What Is Unintentional Injury?
• The term unintentional injury has replaced accidents when referring to injuries sustained by
children. This is because in most instances, factors contributing to an injury are pre-ventable.
Childhood injuries are most often attributed to environmental hazards, lack of appropriate
planning and adult supervision, or a child’s immature development—conditions that are all
manageable with improved knowledge and awareness.
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Unintentional Injuries
• Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death and permanent disability
among children under age of 14.
• Predictable and preventable events that result in harm
• Ranging from bumps, scrapes, bruises to lifelong disability or death
• Estimating nearly 9 million children (under age of 19) seen in hospital
emergency yearly
• Causes:
• Falls – leading cause
• Struck by or against objects
• Bite
Fatal Injuries
• Unintentional injuries leading to death
• Leading cause of death among children and teens
• Death – highest in the 1 – 4 age group
• Causes:
• Suffocation – leading cause of death under 9 years
• Motor vehicle and traffic accidents
• Drowning
• Burns
Risk Management: Principles and Preventive Measures
• planning children’s environments
• preparing learning activities
• selecting appropriate play equipment (indoor and outdoor)
• establishing safety guidelines
• supervising children’s learning and play experiences
• developing safety education programs
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Risk Management: Principles and Preventive Measures
• basic risk management principles :
planning in advance
selection of equipment and activities that support children’s learning and
development
equipment selected to stimulate children’s curiosity, explo-ration, and sense
of independence without endangering their safety
establishing safety policies and guidelines
develop their own policies and guidelines based on the:
population of children being served
type of program, equipment, and available space (indoor and outdoor)
number of adults available for supervision
nature of the activity involved
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Risk Management: Principles and Preventive Measures
maintaining high-quality supervision
Never leave children unattended. If a teacher must leave an area, it should be
supervised by another responsible adult.
An appropriate number of adults must always be available to supervise
children, especially in out-of-home programs.
providing safety education
The earlier children learn about safety, the more naturally they will develop
the attitudes and respect that lead to lifelong patterns of safe behavior.
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Developing Safe Classroom Routines
i) Setting the stage for safety
ii) Establishing a daily schedule
iii) Planning secure arrival and departure procedures
iv) Supporting safe transportation
Managing and Treating Injuries
• Make a list of the types of common injuries including cuts and
burns.
• Guide children with the right action related to their injuries.
• Show a sample first aid kit and explain that there are several ways
to treat an injury that occur.
How teachers could help?
A) Bleeding
Treatment:
• Check for objects in the wound but do not remove them.
• Apply direct pressure to the wound with a pad.
• Apply extra pads if necessary, but do not remove old pad.
• Call for help.
How teachers could help?
B) Breaks (Fractures)
• Symptoms: pain, loss of movement, swelling and bruising,
possible abnormality of limb.
Treatment:
• Do not move the child unless in danger.
• Help the child to support the injured limb and support with pads.
• Call ambulance.
How teachers could help?
C) Burns
Treatment:
• Run under a cold tap or dip into bowl of water.
• Cover with a clean wet cloth.
• Chemical burns need 20 mins of cold water.
• Call for help for a severe or chemical burn.
• DO NOT apply cream or butter.
How teachers could help?
D) Choking
• Symptoms: difficulty in breathing and speaking, flushed face, may
clutch throat or chest.
Treatment:
• Encourage child to cough
• Lean forward and give five slaps between shoulders.
• Call ambulance
How teachers could help?
E) Head Injury
Treatment:
• Apply a cold compress to the head.
• Sit down and rest.
• Watch for signs – e.g. headaches, vomiting, dizziness, unusual
drowsiness.
• Go to hospital for further check up.
How teachers could help?
F) Severe Allergic Reactions
Treatment:
• Call for ambulance.
• Reassure the child.
• Help the child into a comfortable position.
• Record the pulse and breathing.
How teachers could help?
G) Nose bleed
Treatment:
• Tip head forward/up.
• Seek medical advice if it continues for 30 minutes.
How teachers could help?
H) Foreign object in the ear or nose
Treatment:
• Do not try to remove it.
• Take the child to the hospital.
Summary
- Summarize the content for this topic.
- You may do it with your teammates.
- Discuss with the class the points that have been summarized.
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