Ensuring Child Safety: Choosing an Evacuation Crib and Planning for Emergencies at Your Child Care Center

As much as we hate to think of any child in dangerous situations, planning for these scenarios can save lives should you ever be faced with an emergency at your child care facility. When parents bring their little ones to your daycare, they are entrusting you to care for, and keep safe, the most important part of their lives. Giving parents the peace of mind that your facility is organized and prepared for emergency situations is a vital component in gaining and keeping a parent’s trust.

Having a well-documented and well-thought-out evacuation plan doesn’t just ease the mind of concerned parents, it also gives you and your staff an additional level of confidence when caring for young children. With proper planning and appropriate equipment in place, you’ll ensure your daycare facility can evacuate quickly, calmly, and in an organized fashion in event of an emergency.

Daycare Center Evacuation Products

When choosing evacuation products for your childcare center, you need products that are designed for quick thinking and even quicker action, giving caregivers and emergency responders every advantage during potentially chaotic situations. Child care facilities must consistently check all their equipment to verify it is in working order to guarantee full functionality during evacuation situations.

Sturdy Construction and Durability

The top consideration when choosing an evacuation crib for childcare centers is sturdy construction. Look for cribs made of high-quality, durable materials that can withstand the rigors of emergency situations and can safely transport multiple children at once. Models like the First Responder® Evacuation Crib are engineered using a three-point steel gusset system that connects directly to a solid steel frame to provide unprecedented strength. The First Responder allows for the evacuation of five children (up to 180 lbs. total), providing quick, secure transport for multiple children at once.

Compact and Portable Design

Daycare evacuation cribs need to be compact and portable for quick and easy deployment. For instance, with the First Responder, features like integrated grip handles built into the headboard provide stable transportation, while 4” commercial caster wheels provide unsurpassed mobility. Be sure to check whether two of the casters feature locking mechanisms so that the wheels can be easily unlocked for transport, then locked once you are safely evacuated. Also keep in mind that evacuation-ready cribs need to be compact enough to easily fit through designated fire exits.

Visibility and Accessibility

During an emergency, visibility is key for caregivers to monitor the children's well-being. Choose models with clear, transparent end panels that allow for easy visibility from all angles. Cribs with low profile sides will also keep children safe while providing easier accessibility for caregivers. It is also imperative that evacuation cribs feature easily identifiable labels so that caregivers and first-responders can quickly transport children.

Compliance with Safety Standards

Make sure the evacuation crib you choose adheres to industry safety standards and regulations. Check for certifications from relevant authorities that attest to the crib’s compliance with safety guidelines. This includes meeting safety standards for materials used, construction, and overall design. A crib with the necessary certifications provides peace of mind and ensures the highest level of safety for the children in your care.

Additional Evacuation Products

Select daycare cribs, like Serenity Fixed-Side Cribs, can also be easily converted to evacuation-ready cribs by installing add-ons like the First Responder Evacuation Kit, which includes a three-point gusset system and 4” non-marking casters. If your childcare center is already fully stocked with commercial cribs and you need to add additional evacuation-ready cribs, these kits are a convenient solution.

Child Care Evacuation Checklist

Well-constructed daycare evacuation plans can greatly reduce the potential threat to children and caregivers in an emergency. Employees should be aware of the plan and trained upon hire regarding the procedures. Methods should be practiced monthly and routinely updated 

The following checklist can help prevent any crucial elements from being overlooked as you create your evacuation plan. Some of the mitigation and preventative tasks can be assigned to a dedicated staff member with safety coordinator responsibilities.

• Evacuation routes should be posted and visible in every room using proper signage detailing both primary and secondary exit routes and outside assembly areas
• Outline locations of nearest fire alarms and their operation
• Detail the placement of fire detection and suppression devices including fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and sprinkler heads
• Document continued inspection dates for all fire safety equipment
• Ensure all exit lights are working properly
• Plan for emergency communication sources if ground telephone lines fail
• Warn employees against collecting any non-essential items during emergencies
• Provide staff with each child’s emergency contact information
• Routes should always be free of obstacles that could hinder or prolong the evacuation process

Preparing for an emergency should start long before there is ever an actual emergency. By investing in a reliable evacuation crib and preparing an evacuation plan, you are taking proactive steps to ensure the well-being of the children in emergency situations, providing both caregivers and parents with the confidence that their little ones are in good hands. 

Contact us or call 330-722-5033 to learn more about our full line of daycare evacuation products.