How to Prevent San Clemente Daycare Accidents and Child Injuries

For working parents in San Clemente, it is important to be able to rely on a day care facility to take care of your kids during business hours. We all want the best for our children, and San Diego County parents do significant research into daycare facilities to ensure that their kids will be able to learn and play in a safe environment during the workday. Yet daycare accidents can happen at almost any facility. In some situations, accidents and injuries at preschool may be unavoidable. However, daycare and preschool facilities can take preventive measures to ensure that kids do not suffer serious personal injuries. What are some of the most common daycare injuries, and what can facilities do to avoid them?

An article from DC Insurance Services cites the following injuries that often occur at daycare and preschool facilities, as well as ways to prevent them.

Accidents on the Playground

According to the article, playground accidents are the most common cause of injuries at daycares and preschools. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 200,000 children under the age of 15 visit emergency departments every year due to playground injuries. The types of injuries sustained on the playground can vary from more minor cuts and bruises to severe and debilitating injuries like broken bones or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). While it is important for young children to learn the value of outdoor activity, it is also important to take steps to prevent injuries.

What can daycares and preschools do to prevent playground accidents? First, and most importantly, children should be properly monitored at all times. Additionally, all playgrounds should be inspected to ensure that they meet safety codes and to ensure that there are no damaged parts that could cause injuries.

Being Struck by Objects

We often think of “struck-by” injuries as those most often affecting construction workers. However, young kids at daycares and preschools can also suffer serious injuries after being struck by objects. Essentially, any pieces of furniture that can tip over, or any heavy objects placed up on shelves or tables that can fall and strike a small child have potential to cause injuries. For example, bookcases and other shelves regularly tip over, causing serious injury to kids.

Daycares should ensure that all furniture that can tip over is safely attached to the wall (to prevent tipping) and that heavy objects are not placed on furniture where they might easily fall and strike a child.

Burn Injuries from Heating Devices

Whether a daycare or preschool uses bottle warmers to heat up infant formula or crock pots for other food heating, it is important to recognize that these devices can cause serious injuries to young children. It can be difficult to prevent kids from touching hot objects, and they can suffer severe and even life-threatening burn injuries.

What is the solution? In most cases, child safety advocates urge daycares and preschools to avoid using electric heating devices altogether, particularly if they need to be used in a room where children are present. Instead, infant formula should be heated with hot running water from a sink.

Seek Advice from a San Clemente Daycare Injury Attorney

Was your child recently injured at daycare or preschool? The facility may be liable. A daycare injury lawyer in San Clemente can speak with you about your case. Contact the Walton Law Firm to learn more about filing a claim for compensation.

See Related Blog Posts: Rancho Bernardo Back-to-School Bus Safety Preventing Overuse Injuries in Children

(image courtesy of Markus Spiske)