|
Health & Safety Information |
|
As sunnier and warmer days approach, review our webpage on Air quality, outdoor safety, and weather. Here are some reminders:
Sunscreen & Sun Safety
Anyone can get a sunburn, and even on cloudy or overcast days the sun’s harmful rays can still pass through clouds and cause skin damage. Instead of relying on how the weather looks or feels, check the Ultraviolet (UV) Index in your area. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that sunscreen be applied at and above moderate UV Exposure Levels (3+).
Review our Sun Protection Guidelines for Child Care and Early Learning Programs (also available in Amharic, Oromo, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Ukrainian) for more information on:
- The importance of sun protection.
- What kind of sunscreen to use.
- When sunscreen should be applied and WAC rules about sunscreen.
- Other sun safety tips.
Use sunscreen for children 6 months and older. Sunscreen should:
- Have both UV-A and UV-B protection.
- Have an SPF of at least 30.
-
Have either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are the only ingredients identified by the FDA as generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE).
- Be water resistant (see reference here).
- Be applied 20-30 minutes before outdoor activity and reapplied every 2 hours.
As a reminder, child cares need to get written authorization from parents or guardians before applying sunscreen to children in care. You can find these forms, including translations, on the CCHP sun safety webpage.
|
|
Protecting Children during Extreme Heat Events
The CCHP has a new webpage on Weather & Extreme Heat, which includes:
- Information on using the Heat Index instead of just the temperature outside to decide if outdoor play is safe.
- Tips and tools to help cool the air and block the sun.
- Information on keeping children hydrated.
- WAC reminders.
Watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion
If you see symptoms of heat exhaustion (such as headache, nausea, dizziness, irritability, etc.) or dehydration (thirst, heavy sweating, fewer wet diapers, etc.) in children or staff, move the person to a cooler place and give them liquids to drink. You can also remove unnecessary clothing, such as shoes and socks, and try to cool the person with cold compresses. If the person does not feel better after trying these things, get medical attention for them immediately.
For more information, visit these PHSKC resources:
|
|
Wildfire Smoke Tips
During summer months, our region may experience more days with poor air quality due to wildfire smoke. Children and people with chronic health conditions, such as asthma, are more sensitive to the harmful effects of wildfire smoke. By preparing early and monitoring the air quality before spending time outdoors, you can help keep children in your care safe from the harmful impacts of poor air quality.
Prepare ahead for wildfire smoke season
- Make sure you have an up-to-date and complete care plan for any children who have asthma. You can find care plan documents for asthma on our care plan documents webpage.
- Check to make sure asthma medication(s) are in the Grab ’n Go Bag, are not expired, and have doses available.
- Staff with asthma or other chronic illnesses are at greater risk of health issues when exposed to wildfire smoke. Make alternative staffing plans, if needed.
When there is wildfire smoke in the area
- Check the Washington Smoke Blog for current Air Quality Index (AQI) data, forecasts, and health information. Air quality can change quickly, so it’s important to check the AQI right before spending time outdoors.
- Use the DOH Washington Children and Youth Activities Guide for Air Quality chart to determine if outdoor activities are appropriate or if you will need to make any activity modifications for outdoor play.
-
When the AQI falls in the orange to purple range, you should stay indoors. Some children with certain health conditions may need to stay inside in more moderate air quality.
- Staff should consider using N95 masks when spending time outside.
Improve indoor air quality on smoky days
- To help keep inside air clean, keep doors and windows closed as much as possible. Heat is a more immediate concern, so if it’s too hot inside the building, it’s better to open the windows for a short time than to overheat.
- Use air conditioning or fans to keep indoor air cool when it is hot. Set your AC or HVAC system to recirculate the air rather than bringing in outside air.
- Consider getting HEPA air filters that provide 99% or higher filtration to reduce fine particles from wildfire smoke.
- For a low cost option, you can make a DIY filter fan using a box fan, a MERV-13 filter, and a bungee cord or tape. Watch this how-to video for instructions.
Physical activity is still important. When you must stay indoors, you can lead structured activities that provide an opportunity for physical movement.
Watch for symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure
Symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure may include coughing, headache, sore throat, burning eyes, and wheezing. If children or staff experience any of these symptoms, they should move indoors as soon as possible.
|
|
Continuing Education & Training Opportunities |
|
Free ASQ & ASQ:SE Training, Wednesday and Thursday, June 26 & 27 from 9 AM-12 Noon
Best Starts for Kids (BSK) is offering free Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) and Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social Emotional (ASQ:SE) training.
The first session will focus on the ASQ-3 to review the five areas of child development, and the second session is on the ASQ-SE2, social emotional development. Providers are eligible to receive free STARS credit.
Child care programs and organizations in King County who complete this workshop will be able to request ASQ Starter Kits by contacting Juliette Escobar, BSK Developmental Promotion Lead, at jescobar@kingcounty.gov.
|
|
Developmental Screening Supports Survey
Help Me Grow Washington and DCYF want to hear from child care and early learning programs in Washington to learn if free online access to the ASQ is of interest to them. In addition, they want to know what resources and supports would be needed to take advantage of this free service. Please take this brief survey (available in English, Spanish, and Somali) by June 20.
|
|
Same content, new look! We have changed our sector emails to this newsletter format and hope it is easier to read and find the information you need. You can share, subscribe, or unsubscribe below, as well as find last month's edition of our newsletter on our website at any time.
In Health,
The Child Care Health Program
|
|
|
|
|