Injury
Even with every precaution, injuries still happen in child care centres. By nature, children are very active, and some may be aggressive or anxious. They may push, shove or even bite another child in the playroom.
Biting
Biting in child care centres does happen, however most bites are harmless and do not break the skin. If a child is bitten by a playmate, although rare, there is a risk of infection and transmission of certain communicable diseases.
What to Do
If the skin is NOT broken:
- Clean the wound with soap and water.
- Apply a cold compress.
- Observe.
- Inform parents.
If the skin is broken:
- Let the wound bleed gently.
- Clean the wound carefully with soap and water.
- Apply a mild antiseptic if available.
- Advise the parents to observe the wound over the next few days, if redness or swelling develops then a health care provider should be consulted.
- Report to the health unit (1-888-221-2133) if there was blood involved in the bite.
Needle Stick Injuries
Sharps is a general term for all types of instruments or materials that have points or sharp edges capable of penetrating the skin. This can include, but is not limited to needles.
Needle stick puncture wounds can transmit Hepatitis and HIV.
If you are using sharps of any type, immediately put them in a sharps container after using. They should not be recapped, covered, bent or taken apart. Your sharps container should be located close to where you are using the sharps.
Sharps are a biomedical waste product. They cannot go into the regular garbage because of the danger of injury and infection. You can get an approved sharps container at a pharmacy. Your local pharmacy can often dispose of your sharps once your container is ¾ full – any fuller and you can risk injury when putting the sharp into the container.
Handle all sharps items with care, as if they are contaminated.
Get medical attention from a health care provider if anyone has an injury with any needle or other sharp object.