In early childhood environments, maintaining a clean and healthy space is critical. One crucial aspect of this is managing potential exposure to blood and bodily fluids, which may carry infections. An exposure incident is defined as any eye, nose, mouth, or open wound contact with blood or other bodily fluids. To protect everyone, early childhood professionals must implement Universal Precautions—a set of safety measures designed to minimize the risk of infection.

Here’s how you can ensure the safety of both children and staff in situations where blood or other potentially contaminated fluids are present:
Prioritize Safety: Protect Yourself First
In any exposure situation, your own safety should come first. If blood or other bodily fluids are involved, immediately remove all children from the area to minimize exposure. Then, assess the situation and prepare to provide aid while keeping yourself protected.
Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Always wear the appropriate PPE, such as latex gloves, when dealing with blood or bodily fluids. Whether administering first aid or cleaning up a spill, this barrier is essential to protect yourself from potential infections.
Attend to the Injured Child
Once you are protected, assist the injured or sick child. Follow appropriate first aid guidelines while ensuring that you maintain personal protection throughout the process.
Proper Glove Removal and Hand Hygiene
After attending to the injured child or cleaning up the area, remove your gloves and wash your hands immediately following CDC handwashing guidelines. Be sure to don new gloves for each new task to prevent cross-contamination, whether you're dealing with the injury or disinfecting the area afterward.
Proper Disposal of Sharps
If any sharp objects are involved and potentially contaminated, place them in a puncture-proof, sealed container before disposing of them in a trash receptacle. Never handle sharps with bare hands.
Contaminated Clothing and Washables
Items such as clothing, bedding, or any washable materials that may be contaminated should be placed in a sealable plastic bag. Personal belongings should be sent home with children to be laundered appropriately.
Dispose of Cleanup Materials Safely
Use disposable cloths or paper towels to clean the area, and dispose of them in a sealed plastic bag before placing them in the trash. If the spill is large or uncontrollable, it may be necessary to seek professional medical assistance.
Regularly Empty Trash Receptacles
Trash bags that contain any blood or potentially contaminated fluids must be removed promptly. Ensure that the trash receptacle, including the lid and inside surfaces, is disinfected before a new bag is placed inside.
Cleaning Contaminated Carpet
If the exposure occurs on a carpeted area, arrange for the carpet to be professionally cleaned and disinfected to ensure complete removal of any contaminants.
By following these Universal Precautions, early childhood professionals can significantly reduce the risk of infections in the childcare environment. Protecting yourself and the children under your care is a priority, and these safety measures ensure everyone’s well-being.
Note to Early Childhood Professionals: Always stay informed on your center's policies for handling exposure incidents and review updated guidelines from health organizations like the CDC.
Recommended Training:

We offer in-person CPR & First Aid Training at locations in the Dallas Fort Worth, Houston and Austin areas.
We recommend this training along with the information in this article to help you better prepare to offer a safe and healthy learning environment for young children.
To learn more click here
Meet the Author
Sheika Petteway, Chief ENCOURAGING Officer
She provides educational and leadership training to individuals and organizations. She is the founder and CEO of Elite Educational Enterprises and has several years experience serving in the early childhood education industry.
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