Spotlight

Karen Ekdahl, Bellingham Childcare & Learning Center, Bellingham, Washington

Sadly, every year lives are lost because smoke alarms are neglected. From 2009-2013, three out of five home fire deaths occurred in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoke alarms in nearly 1 out of every 5 homes are not working.

This week, we are celebrating Fire Prevention Week. This year's theme is Don't Wait - Check the Date!

Over 1.3 million fires were reported in the United States last year. Fires have a significant impact on children, parents and child care providers. On average, every day 293 children are injured and at least one child dies from fire. Each year approximately 325 fires occur in child care centers. As we focus on fire prevention in October, we begin with one simple question - are you prepared?

Spotlight

Maranda Parker, (former) Health and Fitness Education Specialist, White Birch Community Center, Henniker, New Hampshire

Drop! Cover! Hold On!

These three, simple steps can help you protect yourself during an earthquake. Federal, state, and local emergency management experts and other official preparedness organizations all agree that this is the appropriate action and steps to take in order to reduce injury and death during earthquakes.

Arlington, Va. – Child Care Aware® of Minnesota was recently awarded the Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies as Resilience Hubs grant. Grant funding from Child Care Aware® of America will support a new project designed to strengthen emergency preparedness efforts for children, parents, and child care providers, and to enhance coordination with first responder and disaster response organizations.