To avoid burns, the national Healthy Kids, Healthy Care (HKHC) initiative suggests testing food/bottles before serving and covering electrical outlets. To prevent choking, eliminate small items (coins, beads, balloons) and ensure that window cords are out of reach. Remove all sharp objects.
Many licensing bodies require that chemicals and medications be locked up at all times. Healthy Childcare magazine suggests using only non-toxic craft supplies and being aware of plant life in and around the classroom. According to the magazine, "the No. 1 poison-ingestion problem for children less than a year of age involves plants."
Emergency preparedness can help eliminate additional hazards, chaos and confusion. HKHC recommends creating response plans for weather emergencies and fire, and having an emergency cell phone in the classroom.
Medical training may be required for licensure. HKHC says that educators should be able to perform infant rescue breathing and the Heimlich maneuver; CPR/AED; and deal with cuts and scrapes, bites (insect and human), eye injuries and more.
In 2005, Ohio passed "Jarod's Law," a comprehensive student health and safety bill. The Ohio Department of Health contributed specific preventative steps to the law, like removing "tripping hazards," instituting a hand-washing policy and maintaining stocked first aid kits.