TMC MSHS Health and Safety Program Area. Guidance Assorted children activities and Festivities

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1 Several activities can take place with proper precautions and limitations. That being said, there are many things that are not acceptable. The best way to determine if you can or cannot do a particular activity is to ask a few questions: 1. Is this an age appropriate activity? 2. Would licensing allow this activity at the center or away from the center? 3. Will the children be safe? 4. Does the child staff ratio need to be increased? 5. Does the Health and Safety Coordinator and or Risk Management need to be notified? As the Health and Safety group we have the task to ensure that all centers and locations our children are taken are safe; therefore the following guidance should be followed. We do not want to take the children s joy this time of year or any other time of the year. Perhaps these few suggestions might help everyone have a safer Christmas, all holidays and other festivities to come. Holiday decorations can be beautiful, but don t assume that their sparkle means safety. In fact, hospital emergency rooms treat about 12,500 people annually for falls, cuts, shocks and burns from faulty holiday lights, other decorations and dried-out Christmas trees. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Christmas trees are involved in about 300 fires each year. Ensure to reserve this time of year for family and friends, not undue concerns about their safety. Keep these important National Safety Council tips in mind when preparing for a safe and happy holiday. Christmas trees will be allowed in the centers and in the toddler and preschool classrooms under the following precautions: Christmas Trees in parents rooms, entrances, hallways: An artificial tree may be used if the box is labeled "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. You may have a fire resistant tree no more than 7ft tall. Be sure the stand is sturdy enough to prevent the tree from falling or tipping over. Ensure not to block egress or exit doors. No live trees will be allowed.

2 No Christmas lights or pre-lit Christmas trees will be allowed. (Ornaments adhere to the guidance for decorations). Toddlers and Pre-school Classrooms Christmas Trees: An artificial tree may be used if the box is labeled "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. Christmas tree must not be taller than 3 feet. Be sure the stand is sturdy enough to prevent the tree from falling or tipping over. No live trees will be allowed. The tree must not be placed on the floor; must be placed on a tabletop surface. Ensure not to block egress or exit doors. Infant Classroom: Christmas trees will not be allowed in infant classrooms. Lights: No Christmas lights or pre-lit Christmas trees will be allowed. Tree ornaments/decorations: Decorations containing lead are hazardous if ingested and must not be used. Children may create their own ornament as a classroom activity. Do not hang popcorn chains and candy canes on the tree; since we still need to comply with choke hazards and the sweet food policy. Do not use hooks to hang the ornaments; instead use yarn to hang the ornament to the tree. Keep any ribbons on gifts and tree ornaments shorter than 7 inches. A child could wrap a longer strand of ribbon around their neck and choke. Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a young child to eat them. Tinsel, garland and or angel hair will not be allowed. Sharp or breakable, trimmings with small removable parts are not allowed. Ways to eliminate or reduce risks: Do not use electrical decorations. (Trains, Christmas villages etc.)

3 No candles are allowed. Remember, only 25 % of the wall and/or ceiling can be covered with paper. (Combustible) Do not use highly fragrant items like cider, fir trees, etc. (Several children have respiratory problems in which highly fragrant items may trigger an emergency. When using decorations from year to year, be sure they are not musty or dusty as this will increase asthma and flu like symptoms. Make sure that all decorations are secure and will not fall on children. Avoid strings hanging from the ceiling that are within the reach of the tallest child in the room on tippy toes. Avoid the use of staples and push pins. I know that makes it hard to secure, but we have to keep it safe. Ensure that you comply with your states licensing requirements at all times. The use of artificial snow on windows or other surfaces will not be allowed. No lights for other type of decorations Halloween, valentines, Easter etc. Small children may think that holiday plants look good enough to eat. But many plants can cause severe stomach problems. Plants to watch out for include: mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry, and amaryllis. Keep all of these plants out of children's reach to include Poinsettias. Decorations should never block any means of egress. Remember the Sweet Food Policy and Special Celebration Procedure. Prizes, Toys and Gifts Remember to watch for chock hazards. There are many toys and prizes on the market that are choke hazards. Remember, if it will go through a tube from a roll of Toilet Paper, it is too small. Watch also for small removable parts or parts that could easily break off. Balloons are always a choke hazard and should not be used even under supervision. Children under age three can choke on small parts contained in toys or games. Government regulations specify that toys for children under age three cannot have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long. Remove strings and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children. Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys before they become dangerous playthings. Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than 12 inches in length. They could be a strangulation hazard for babies. Piñatas: These are acceptable but require planning.

4 Items you may consider filling the piñata are as follows: Animal cookies Fruit roll up s Fruit gummy snacks Stickers Age appropriate party favors (Just make sure the items comply with the sweet food and special celebration procedure and age appropriateness of the party favors.) Be sure to increase supervision at the hitter end and to keep back the other children when it breaks. Be cautious of choke hazards. Keep in mind that you cannot fill the piñata with candy because of the sweet foods and special celebration procedure. Once the piñata has been broken, be sure to remove it immediately since the small wooden pieces inside can be dangerous. Valentines: Flower bouquets, teddy bears, candy or balloons will not be allowed in the classrooms. Inform parents that it is best that these items are not sent to the child since they will not be delivered to the child in the classroom. If any of these items are sent to the center they will be stored in a core team members office and returned to the parent will be notified they may pick up the items at the end of the day. The items will not be returned to the parent via bus route due to bus transportation procedures and DOT regulations. Easter: Several staff may ask about Easter celebration and the use of Easter Eggs/cascarones for an Easter egg hunt at the center. Unfortunate due to the following reasons the use of Easter Eggs or Cascarones are not allowed to be used: Confetti can come in many different forms, ranging from anything like rice, to sequins, to foil paper. Unfortunately though, most confetti leaves a mess that remains for weeks, the confetti can be environmentally harmful, and is hard to clean up. Scientific data regarding egg shell washing practices indicates bacteria are reduced on the surface. However, sanitizing eggs will not prevent egg related diseases caused by microorganisms, such as Salmonella that are already present inside the egg.

5 Children with Asthma/respiratory diseases and or allergies are especially vulnerable to the residue, dust and or powder which may be present in the confetti which could trigger an episode of respiratory distress to a child. Alternative to consider: If you are planning an Easter egg hunt consider using plastic eggs and placing stickers inside the plastic eggs. Note: do not place candies and or toys due to possible choke hazards and the sweet food and special celebration procedure. Parades: Use extreme caution and be sure to notify Risk Management at least three days in advance with the details: Date, Time Location, Distance, Number of Children, Number of Adults, type of vehicle, Driver, Driver s license Copy may be needed. This is done to be sure we have you covered on the insurance for that event. Licensing outlines the child staff ratios, but you may want to consider increasing the adults since this is a parade and children will be excited. Parental permission and parental volunteers may be necessary. Fall Festivals and Halloween: Fall Festivals to include Halloween may be celebrated. Keep it child friendly, Age appropriate, and safe. Keep the gory stuff out of the centers and locations where children may be taken to on field trips in order to ensure that children will not be frighten. Small objects that could not be used in the class should not be used for treats for children. Keep in mind also that many costumes are not flame retardant and therefore may not be safe. Choking hazards from capes, lose strings, shelves that could catch on slides, masks that may hamper sight are all a concerns. Activities must integrate all children with or without special care needs. You may need to adapt equipment and vary methods to ensure that you care for children with special needs in a natural environment.

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