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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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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 DocumentBeat the Heat Flyer

Right click on the link below, then choose “open hyperlink”.