Layout 1

Health and Safety Checklist

INDOOR SAFETY

Classroom or area: Date checked:

Item In Place Comments

Date

Completed

Classroom is free from clutter (tops

of cubbies, cabinets, shelves, halls,

teacher areas).

All teachers can easily view all

areas used by children.

Electrical plugs accessible to

children are covered.

Electrical and drapery cords are out

of children's reach. Electrical cords

are placed away from doorways and

traffic paths.

All teacher handbags are in locked

storage.

Flammable and all poisons and

other dangerous items marked

"keep out of reach of children" are

stored in locked cabinets. This

includes medicines, paints,

cleaners, mothballs, etc.

Poisonous plants are not present in

the child care areas.

Appliances and sharp or hazardous

cooking utensils are stored out of

children’s reach.

Knives are in locked storage.

Locks are checked at the beginning

and end of the day.

Soft furnishings are clean and in

good repair.

All other furniture is sturdy and in

good repair.

All large pieces of furniture

and storage shelves are

securely anchored.

Rugs, curtains, pillows,

blankets, and cloth toys are

flame resistant.

Cribs/Cots are placed at least 3 feet

apart, in such a way that walkways

are clear for emergencies.

Infant sleeping arrangements use

firm mattresses and avoid soft

bedding materials, such as

comforters, pillows, fluffy blankets

or stuffed toys.

INDOOR SAFETY

Classroom or area: Date checked:

Item In Place Comments

Date

Completed

All cribs meet current federal

standards.

Children do not have access to toys

and toy parts that pose a

swallowing or inhaling hazard.

Toys, materials, and furniture are

safe, durable, and in good condition

(e.g., materials free of sharp edges

and loose pieces, balloons and/or

plastic bags not used, no choking

hazards.)

Toys are not hung across the

cribs .

Teachers know the primary and

secondary evacuation routes and

practice the procedures monthly

with children.

There is a safe and effective

heating and cooling system.

Emergency telephone numbers

(e.g., EMS, Hospital or Emergency

medical clinic, Health Department,

Fire, Police, Poison Control) are

clearly posted near telephone.

A well supplied first-aid kit is

available, accessible to child

care providers, and out of reach

of children.

Emergency lighting is available and

working (i.e.: flashlights).

Fire safety rules and guidelines are

reviewed with children and

teachers.

Emergency fire drills are conducted

monthly

and documented.

The facility has approved, working

fire extinguishers and an

appropriate number of smoke

detectors

that are tested regularly.

Walls and ceilings have no

peeling paint and no cracked or

falling plaster.

Hinges and joints are covered to

prevent small fingers from being

pinched or caught.

HEALTH & SAFETY CHECKLIST

INDOOR SAFETY

Classroom or area: Date checked:

Item In Place Comments

Date

Completed

Doorways to unsupervised or unsafe

areas are closed and locked unless

the doors are used for emergency

exits.

Teachers can easily monitor all

entrances and exits to keep out

strangers.

All exits are clearly marked and free

from clutter.

Enough teachers are always present

to exit with children safely and

quickly in an emergency.

Emergency exit doors have easy-

open latches.

All required windows have closed,

permanent screens.

Floor coverings are attached to

the floor or backed with

nonskid materials.

Appropriate licenses (water/sewage,

food/sanitation, fire codes, and

vendor/contractor licenses) are

posted and easily seen.

INDOOR HEALTH

Classroom or area: Date checked:

Item In Place Comments

Date

Completed

Non-perishable food is stored in

labeled, insect-resistant metal or

plastic containers with tight lids.

Food preparation surfaces are clean

and are free of cracks and chips.

Refrigerator temperature is

monitored by a thermometer and is

kept at or below 40 degrees

Fahrenheit.

Medication in need of refrigeration

is refrigerated.

Allergies are posted and

food/beverage substitutions made.

Hot foods are kept at 140 degrees

Fahrenheit or higher until ready to

be eaten.

HEALTH & SAFETY CHECKLIST

INDOOR HEALTH

Classroom or area: Date checked:

Item In Place Comments

Date

Completed

Bleach water is made fresh daily.

Countertops are clean.

Toys that are mouthed are washed

after each use.

Toys are made of nontoxic materials

and are sanitized regularly-sprayed

daily and cleaned weekly.

Non-porous gloves are available for

use when dealing with blood and/or

other bodily fluids.

Diapers are disposed of in a safe and

sanitary manner.

Trash is covered at all times and is

stored away from heaters or other

heat sources.

Trash cans for diapers, tissues, and

other materials that come in contact

with body fluids can be opened with

a step pedal and are lined with a

plastic bag, emptied daily, and

kept clean.

Floor temperature must be at a

minimum of 68 degrees.

Pets are free from disease, are

immunized as appropriate, and are

maintained in a sanitary manner.

Bathroom facilities are clean and in

good repair.

Paper towels and liquid soap are

readily available at the sink.

Classroom carpet/floor areas are

cleaned daily.

OUTDOOR HEALTH AND SAFETY

Classroom or area: Date checked:

Item In Place Comments

Date

Completed

Daily playground checks include:

broken glass, animal waste, trash,

toxic plants or plant debris, damage

by vandals, rocks/sand on pavement,

smoking debris, broken equipment,

chipping paint, puddles of water,

insect hazards, depth of cushioning.

Sand is covered when not in use to

prevent infectious disease and injury

risk when animals and insects get

into it.

HEALTH & SAFETY CHECKLIST

OUTDOOR HEALTH AND SAFETY

Classroom or area: Date checked:

Item In Place Comments

Date

Completed

Children wear helmets when riding

tricycles and bicycles.

Surfaces underneath outdoor play

equipment on which children can

climb are covered with a least 9

inches of impact-absorbing material.

There are no equipment pieces that

could catch clothing. There are no

strings or loose items on children’s

clothing or around children’s necks

that could get caught on play

equipment.

The outdoor play area is arranged

such that no child can leave the

premises or get into unsafe or

unsupervised areas.

The playground equipment is in good

repair and safe condition (e.g.

adequately secured to the ground,

free of sharp edges and/or splinters,

soft falling surface, moving parts are

lubricated).

There are no openings in any pieces

of active play equipment between 3

1/2 and 9 inches that could cause

head entrapment.

There is a fence that encloses the

play area.

Fence is in good repair.

There are no tripping hazards.

There are no poisonous plants in the

outdoor play areas.

Nobody smokes or has lighted

cigarettes in smoke free zone.