look before you lock

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Look Before You LockTransportation Safety in Early Childhood

Education

Hundreds of children are left unattended in cars each year.

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6 Year Old Left Alone on School Bus

Photo credit: Newsday/Jessica Rotkiewicz

Some are able to escape the vehicle,

only to find themselves facing other serious risks.

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5 Year Old Found Walking Along Road

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Some suffer serious emotional trauma.

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4 Year Old Left Alone on School Bus

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On average, 38 children die each year of hyperthermia (overheating) after being left in a motor vehicle.

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2 Year Old Dies in Hot Van

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How can this happen?

A child’s body warms 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s.

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Temperatures Rise Dramatically Inside a Closed Vehicle.

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Aslyn Paige Ryan 

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February 1, 2003 – February 7, 2004

How does this happen?

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These deaths are entirely preventable.

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But prevention depends on you.

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Prevention Depends On YOU.

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606 CMR 7.00 Requires:

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•A transportation plan•Properly licensed drivers•Drivers and monitors receive orientation•Regularly assigned drivers•Attendance•Post-trip inspection

…a “general” transportation plan

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…a transportation plan for field trips

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…a transportation plan for each child

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•How will child arrive and depart?•At what times?•Alternative arrangements?•Emergency pick-up?•Emergency contact?

Parents must call in child’s absence.

…properly licensed drivers

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…properly licensed drivers

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…Driver and Monitor Orientation

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•Absent monitor?•Absent child?•Absent parent?•Attendance?

•Assigned seats on bus/van?•Supervision into program?•Escort to classroom?•Wait for dismissal?

…regularly assigned drivers

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…attendance

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ChildPickUp

Drop Off

PickUp

DropOff

Comments

Mikayla Brower7:55 8:20 5:00 5:25

John BrowerA A A A Notified by

dispatch

Karen Schmidt 8:04 8:20 5:00 5:20 Waited 4 min for child (a.m.)

Letisha Brown 8:07 8:20 5:00 5:15

Malachai Rashad 8:11 8:20 5:00 5:11

Chastin James 8:15 8:20 5:00 5:08

Arielle James 8:15 8:20 5:00 5:08

…post-trip inspection

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EEC Policy Requires:

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•Second inspection• Search for absent child

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Transportation Policies

• Have parent confirm child’s placement on bus /van.

• Assign consistent seating.

• Maintain the route and the routine.

• Call in at end of route.

Transportation Plans and Procedures

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•Staff from receiving program escort children from the vehicle into the building•Confirm attendance before transport leaves•Escort children to classrooms•Confirm attendance in classroom

Say Something!

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In Review…

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We each play an important part in keeping ourchildren safe:

Parents

Educators

Drivers

Administrators

Parents:

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• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle…not even for a minute!

• Place your purse, cell phone or other belongings on the floor of the back seat. Place the child’s belongings on the front seat.

• Know your child care provider’s transportation safety policies. 

• Call your child care provider if your child will be late or absent from care.

• If you see a young child alone in a vehicle, report it to the police.

Administrators:

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• Be sure your general transportation plan addressessupervision while boarding, during transport, and when leaving a vehicle•Be sure staff know and have access to each child’s individual transportation plan• Be sure all staff and drivers know the plans and required procedures for daily transportation and for field trips•Be sure staff confirm attendance before the transport vehicle leaves your premises•Encourage staff to ask questions if they are unsure about any child’s absence

Drivers:

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• Know transportation policies• Know the children and their parents• Maintain accurate attendance• Maintain the route• Inspect the vehicle thoroughly after every trip !!!

Educators:

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• Be sure you know and have access to each child’s transportation plan.• Know who is responsible for supervision, and when.• Confirm attendance before the transport vehicle

leaves your program.• If you are not expecting a child to be absent, ask

about or search for an absent child !!!

Additional Resources

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Kids and Cars: www.KidsAndCars.org

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: http://www.nhtsa.gov/Driving+Safety/Child+Safety/Keeping+Kids+Safe:+Inside+&+Out

Be Car Safe: http://becarsafe.org/hyp.htm

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Self-Assessment and Certificate Document

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