The summer time is a great time to take the children on fun field trips. In fact, the summertime is a very busy field trip season for childcare programs and with that in mind; you must be sure that you have field trip policies and safety procedures in place that will assure that child are safe while on field trips.
According to the Department of Geosciences, “In 2012, there was at least two deaths of children due to hyperthermia (heat stroke) after being in hot cars, trucks, vans and SUV’s. In 2011 there were at least 33 juvenile vehicular hyperthermia fatalities.
Since 1998 there have been at least a total of 529 of these needless tragedies. This study shows that these incidents can occur on days with relatively mild (i.e., ~ 70 degrees F) temperatures and that vehicles can reach life-threatening temperatures very rapidly.”
With those statistics in mind, here are five very important van safety Procedures to follow in your Child Care Business:
- Conduct a safety check on the van before allowing the children to enter the van.
- Conduct a face to name head counts before leaving the building
- When the children exit the van (s); check the van for children before locking the doors, then conduct head counts again!
- Require that at least 2 adults are on the van with the children to verify that all the children have entered and departed the van.
- Check the van for kids, before locking the Doors!!!
For more van safety procedures or to find out how to create a fun and safe Summer program, be sure to check out the Summer Camp Planning eGuide!
Also, be sure to check out this Fact Sheet about Hyperthemia Deaths, due to children being left in vans or cars. Click here
With Summer Fun and Safety in mind!
Shiketa Morgan
The Child Care Business Owner Institute 
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