10 acciones para crear una cultura de seguridad

(En inglés)

Culture of Safety Introduction

Narrator: A culture of safety is when everyone in your program embraces the belief that children have the right to be safe. This means everyone understands their role in ensuring programs are safe places for children. This includes all staff, such as teachers, transportation staff, kitchen staff, maintenance staff, consultants, managers, administrators, and home visitors.

Many injuries are predictable and preventable. If someone sees water on the floor, they can predict that a child might slip. Whose job is it to identify and take care of potential hazards? Well, it's all of ours. 

Starting with program leaders. Staff do a daily scan of indoor and outdoor spaces to make sure that they are safe for children. They tell maintenance staff right away if they find a hazard. Maintenance staff fix issues in a timely manner, and children cannot access the area or equipment until it is fixed. Program administrators follow up to make sure safety issues are resolved. 

Injuries are often a result of factors related to children, adults, and the environment. You can prevent injuries by planning and taking precautions related to all three factors. This means you understand children's behaviors, make sure adults know how to keep them safe, and maintain safe environments where children can thrive. 

Imagine if a child runs out of the playground because a gate didn't close properly. If staff discuss what happened together, then solutions will follow. It might mean a new gate latch or additional staff to supervise children until it can be fixed. 

Programs can also use back-up safety measures to prevent injuries. A gate with a secure latch is one safety measure, but an injury is even less likely when programs use several approaches to preventing injuries. Staff can inspect a safety latch daily to make sure it is working and use active supervision to teach and enforce safety rules. 

The 10 actions to create a culture of safety can help you combine strategies to keep children safe. Each action is a science-informed injury prevention strategy that prioritizes children's safety and well-being:

Use Data to Make Decisions; Actively Supervise; Keep Environments Safe and Secure; Make Playgrounds Safe; Transport Children Safely; Report Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect; Prepare for Changes that Affect Safety; Model Safe Behaviors; Collaborate with Families about Safety; and Know Your Children and Families.

These actions should all be used together and will help us create a culture of safety for children.