FIRE AND EARTHQUAKE DRILLS

FIRE/EARTHQUAKE DRILLS, TSUNAMI'S and STREET SAFETY

Safety is an important focus at the Centre.  As per Licensing Regulations, Fire and Earthquake drills are practiced monthly.

EMERGENCY FIRE PROCEEDURS:  In case of a fire, I will sound the alarm (emergency whistle) and the words "1,2,3, children come to me!!", a head count will be done and we will all evacuate the Daycare.

1) We will first proceed to the school gates for another head count.  I will call 911.  During school months, we will wait inside the school until the Fire Department gives us the ok to return.  If a situation arises where it is unsafe to return, we will wait in the school until all children have been picked up by their Parent/Guardian or alternate authorized person.

2) In the event of an evacuation where we can not re-enter the Daycare and can not wait at the school, we will then proceed to our secondary emergency location to the nearest Police Department.  Where we will remain until all children have been picked up by their Parent/Guardian or alternate authorized person.


EMERGENCY EARTHQUAKE PROCEDURES

- INDOORS:  I will try to ensure that all children have dropped down in a safe area away from windows and will remind them to cover their heads and to remember to hold onto something solid.

- OUTDOORS: 

We will stay outside and try to find an open area away from buildings and crouch down together.

- In a Vehicle:

I will pull over to a safe place where we are not blocking the road and try to:

- Avoid bridges, overpasses, underpasses, buildings or anything that could collapse.
- Stop the car and stay inside.
- Listen to the car radio for instructions from emergency officials.
- We will not attempt to get out of the van if there are downed power lines. We will wait to be rescued.
- I will place a HELP sign in the window if we need assistance.

We will try to AVOID the following in an earthquake:

- Doorways. Doors may slam shut and cause injuries.
- Windows, bookcases, tall furniture and light fixtures.
- Downed power lines – staying at least 10 metres away.
- The Coastline -  As Earthquakes can trigger large tsunamis.

After an Earthquake we will wait for any aftershocks and then return to the Centre if it's unsafe, we will follow the 1st and 2nd Procedures above under Fire.


EMERGENCY TSUNAMI PROCEDURES:

- If a Tsunami alert is issued for our area, we will listen for instructions from emergency services, which may advise us to drive or walk to higher ground.
- If we are unable to walk or drive to higher ground, I will call emergency services and ask them to help us evacuate. We will stay in the top floor of the Centre until help arrives.
- I will try to contact Parents/Guardians once we have arrived at the evacuation centre.


STREET SAFETY

Along with Fire and Earthquake Drills we also practice Street Safety:

- looking both ways before crossing the street
- not petting/touching animals we do not know
- not talking to people we do not know unless they have been ok by a Parent/Guardian/Caregiver
- never pick up broken glass or anything sharp
- If you see a needle do not touch it - always tell Me


Playground Safety Rules:

- slides are for going down - not up
- children are to only play on equipment they can get on by themselves
- no throwing sand/rocks
- we let others take turns
- we watch out for our friends
- we do not push or shove
- we are kind to others
- walk around swings
- all children wear bike helmets
- if a toy breaks, please let me know