On the one hand, it's difficult to believe that any child care program would allow unsafe conditions. And yet, though unsafe conditions at centers or family child care homes are certainly not intentional, they do exist. Overburdened and under trained caregivers, too many children in a group, low regulatory standards and limited enforcement may all contribute to an unsatisfactory level of safety.

As a parent, you should evaluate the physical safety of a child care environment in the same way you would its other aspects. There are definite things to look for both inside and out.
Inside - There are two areas to check: hygiene and hazards.
Hygiene - If, on a casual inspection, the center or home looks dirty, that's a bad sign. Ask specifically about the following:

• How often are bathroom surfaces cleaned?
• How often is general cleaning done? It is important to know who does the cleaning as well. If the caregiver is responsible, take note. Caregivers work hard at their primary jobs; taking care of children. Asking them to do major cleaning may be unreasonable depending on the number of children they are responsible for. Depending on the caregiver's schedule, cleaning may not be done often enough or well enough.
• How often are rugs shampooed? Babies and toddlers spend a lot of their time on the floor. Rugs should be shampooed at least every two months. How often are the toys cleaned? (should be at least weekly)
• When a child puts something into her mouth, what happens when it comes out? A caregiver should make sure that it is pulled from general use until sanitized.

• Security covers are on every electrical outlet.
• Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are readily available.
• Padded corners are on all furniture that a child might encounter.
• All potentially toxic substances are either out of reach or in locked storage areas.
• No space that a child can enter alone should have a lock. This includes bathrooms, utility areas, and storage closets.
• Cabinets and drawers in kitchens should have safety latches. Never underestimate how resourceful children can be!
• Teaching supplies or equipment, like paste, ink pens, scissors, are available with close supervision.

Outside - In child care settings, most accidents happen in the outside play area. Children are unpredictable and energetic in outside play. Accidents are bound to happen. But careful supervision, well maintained equipment and appropriate play surfaces can minimize their frequency and severity. If you are choosing child care or if your child already attends child care, you should spend some time in the outside play area while the center or home is open. Watch how it is run, observe how an accident is handled if one occurs and check the equipment.

Outside play areas should always be enclosed by a fence or other barrier. It helps the caregiver to keep children safe. It also reduces the amount of trash and debris that accumulates in the play area from the surrounding neighborhood. Other outside safety precautions to consider are:
Play Surfaces - There should be some impact absorbing surface around play equipment like climbing structures. Not all states require this, but don't settle for an outside play area without it.
Equipment - Equipment does not have to be new, but it should be well maintained. Besides a thorough visual check of equipment such as large play structures, get on them yourself. How does it feel? Is it well anchored? Are all steps, rings, bars, etc. attached properly? Typically, this type of equipment is engineered to bear weight far in excess of what might be encountered under normal circumstances. If it feels unsafe to you, it probably is. Other considerations are:

• All equipment should be age-appropriate.
• Babies should have a separate space, protected from older, more mobile children.
• All play space should not be taken up by equipment. There should be open space to allow running and free play.
• If there is a sandbox, it should be covered when not in use. Otherwise, cats will use it as a litter box which poses a serious disease and sanitation risk to children.
• Look for protruding screws and bolts that may pose a choking hazard if it catches a hood, jacket or shirt.

• What are the center's or family child care home's emergency procedures? Where are they written?
• How many of the staff are trained in CPR and first aid? Even during extended care hours there should be at least one CPR certified staff member available at all times.
• What kind of general training does the staff undergo for dealing with physical emergencies? How often?