Kids have more fragile bodies than adults. This means that occurrences such as pinching a finger in the door may otherwise seem less distressing for adults, but these may have worse consequences for kids.
Adults may observe bruises, redness, or swelling, but it can be a much agonizing experience for kids resulting in broken bones, deformities, or permanent disabilities.
While the injuries of kids may have greater chances of healing successfully, it is still essential to consider seeking medical help. This informs you thoroughly about the extent of injuries and the level of treatment that may be necessary. If your facility administration is at fault, the suffering party may be entitled to compensation under a personal injury claim case.
However, daycare facilities are supposed to have a safe environment for all kids as well as the staff. No parents or guardians want to experience seeing their kids in pain or agony due to injuries. So what can you do to avert daycare injuries from happening in the first place? Install DOOR FINGER PROTECTION measures!
Door Finger Injuries
Kids are often unaware of the type of injuries they can encounter merely by sticking their hands along the door edges or in between the hinges. When doors shut abruptly, the pressure applied is around 40 tons, and this indicates how bad the discomforts may be.
As these injuries can be life-threatening, UK authorities encourage and even mandate child care providers to install protective measures such as door hinge guards or any other anti-door slam devices to save little kids from trapping their precious fingers in the doors.
Invest some time to gauge the existing security protocols and consider installing additional and mandatory devices that further reduce the potential risks.
How Can Door Hinge Protectors Help?
You must teach kids not to stick or place their fingers on the hinge side or knob side of the doors. Besides, explain everyone on how they must be careful while shutting doors and check no one is at risk.
Fit hook-and-eye latches and/or wedges to stop sudden closures. Doorstops can also thwart sudden slamming. Spring operated closers do not work too well, so have slow-releasing systems to keep the environment safe.
Make sure the areas where there are more kids like playrooms or classrooms are adequately staffed for proper supervision. But since being present everywhere is practically not possible, safety devices can be trusted.
To prevent finger entrapment injuries from happening in the first place, heavy-duty, professional-grade hinge guards are a perfect choice. These are affordable, true to their purpose, and work on all kinds of doors. You can easily find these online or at the nearest hardware store and install them at almost every facility door.
No matter if it is a high-risk or low-risk door, there can be significant consequences in even the unthought-of circumstances. In fact, such guards can also be installed over cupboards, windows, and virtually every door in the facility that may pose a risk to kids. You can find foam-based strips and even heavy-duty devices that can serve your particular purpose.
In case a child still gets injured, make sure to seek medical assistance immediately and do the needful – timely aid can prevent the worse from happening.