A survey of hospital emergency rooms revealed that nearly half of all playground falls resulted in head injuries. Playground surfaces should be evaluated for "Surface Impact Performance" and the "Severity Index"--both measures to determine ability to absorb impact. Nine other playground hazards are illustrated and described.…

This half-hour videotape and accompanying viewer's guide are designed to assist school personnel in the identification of real and potentially hazardous conditions which threaten the physical safety of children with special needs. The tape presents a systematic process for assessing risk factors and implementing intervention strategies. Policies…

Drivers' lack of concentration, distraction, and misjudgment are the major causes of all school bus accidents. Examples are provided of exemplary bus driver training and safety programs. (MLF)

Children who actively take part in sports are susceptible to special injury risks because their bodies are still growing. Parents should keep both the child's individual physical and emotional makeup and the demands of the sport in mind when selecting an activity. Proper training methods and equipment are discussed. (PP)

Addresses responding to a child with special health care needs with a life-threatening medical emergency, including an equipment malfunction, when it occurs in community settings. Collaborative development of portable individualized emergency response plans is discussed, and illustrative care scenarios, a sample plan, and policy recommendations…

Discusses Alan Hales's model of safety management in the context of caving. When two sets of hazards, human and environmental, are present together, risk occurs. Objective risk is uncontrollable and should be avoided in educational settings; subjective risk is controllable. Presents positive and negative strategies for engaging or avoiding…

The article presents suggestions for home safety checks, recommending that parents look for harmful agents and safety hazards, and suggesting that they teach their children safety awareness. Safety tips are also offered for visits outside the home. (SM)

School health educators can help farm children learn ways to reduce the possibility of serious injuries by incorporating farm safety into the school health curriculum. This paper examines three farm injury or death risk categories for children (machinery, livestock, and recreation) and discusses curriculum implications, explaining that most farm…

Focuses on the need for health and safety for participants of study-abroad programs. Lists five themes that guide the Interorganizational Task Force on Safety and Responsibility in Study Abroad's efforts to ensure student safety, including: (1) the definition of "sponsor"; and (2) the need for guidelines for advisers and partner institutions. (CJW)

This procedure manual describes the uniform procedures used by the Hicksville, New York School District's Health Services Program. Its objectives are to establish a uniform set of health services guidelines and procedures, to update all health forms, to maintain an awareness of the current changes in health laws that govern school districts, and…

The document presents scripts prepared by experienced lawyers for seven mock trials. Designed for high school or adult audiences as introductions to the American legal system, the scripts use community lawyers, judges, and law officers as well as actors. Script topics include cases concerning automobile accidents, drunken driving, homicide,…

Outlines standards in seven areas--staff training, facilities, athletic equipment, emergency preparedness, a central training room, athletic health care and training, and recordkeeping--for assessing school athletic programs so that potential injuries and lawsuits can be avoided. (KS)

Discusses conditions preventing school bus drivers from maintaining discipline and safety and proposes administrative remedies. Gives examples of overlooked hazards in both riders' and drivers' behaviors. (MCG)

To avoid negligence charges, physical education instructors must have a basic understanding of general legal procedures and of guidelines for reasonable and prudent teacher behavior regarding supervision, activity selection, and safety precautions. Descriptions of general legal procedures and guidelines for physical education teachers are…

Argues that there are three areas to evaluate when creating safer playgrounds for children: environment, supervision, and education. Discusses the importance of safe and properly installed equipment, resilient surfacing, removal of hazards, proper maintenance, appropriate adult-to-child ratio, and enforcement of proper playground safety and injury…