How to Create an Evacuation Plan for Home Childcare
Caring for the safety of children is the most important aspect of any child care facility. Creating an evacuation plan in case of emergency is imperative for home child care. You may have no control over fires, earthquakes, tornados and floods, but you can control how you and your staff respond to these and other emergencies. Preparing and practicing an evacuation plan helps you, your assistants and the children remain calm and stay safe in a potentially stressful and dangerous situation.
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Things You'll Need
- Suitcase
- Parental contact information
- 3-day supply of water per person
- 3-day supply of nonperishable food per person
- First aid
- Tools
- Clothing
- Blankets
- Flashlights
- Flashlight batteries
- Portable radio
- Portable radio batteries
- Can opener
- Gloves
- Paper towels
- Bath tissue
- Disinfectant
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Disposable cups
- Whistle
- Keys
- Cars
- Permission forms
Instructions
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1
Call your local Red Cross chapter to learn about your community's disaster warning signals and the most common types of disasters in your area.
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2
Devise a fire evacuation plan and a plan for the most common disaster in your area such as earthquake, flood or tornado. Crawl on the floor to avoid smoke in a fire, and test all doors for heat before opening.
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3
Pack a suitcase with parental contact information and emergency supplies. Include a three day supply of water per person, three day supply of non perishable food per person, first aid, tools, clothing, blankets, flashlights with extra batteries, portable radio with extra batteries, can opener, gloves, paper towels, bath tissue, cleanser, disinfectant, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, disposable cups and a whistle.
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4
Store suitcase in a safe, easily assessable location. Be in charge of grabbing suitcase in emergency.
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5
Map the quickest exit route. Mark all emergency exit doors and post the mapped plan around the home.
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6
Train any assistants to help lead the emergency exit, check that all children are accounted for, leave a note on the home telling parents where the group has gone, and treat any injuries.
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7
Choose two evacuation locations. Pick a place to meet right outside the home for emergencies like fires and a place to meet outside of the neighborhood for emergencies that keep you from returning home.
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8
Obtain keys and written permission to use the evacuation locations.
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9
Develop a transportation plan. Ask neighbors and any assistants to help transport children to the evacuation location.
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10
Acquire signed parental consent forms authorizing you to transport children in case of emergency.
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Give copies of the evacuation plan with emergency contact information to all parents and guardians.
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12
Practice emergency drills with children and any assistants.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep emergency exit pathways and doors clear at all times.
Teach children to dial 911 in case of emergency.
