Minimum Standards for Tribal Child Care: A Health and Safety Guide
Table of Contents (This document is also available in PDF and Word format.)
Section II:
Building and Premises
Transportation
Principle
Children should always be transported in a safe manner.
Why This Is Important
- Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for children in the United States.
Standards
- If children are transported, a written permission slip signed by a parent or recognized guardian should be on file.
- Children should be required to use safety belts or, for children under age 4, federally approved and properly installed child passenger restraint systems (car seats) or other appropriate child passenger safety seats appropriate for the mode of transportation.
- Children should never be transported in the rear of a pick-up truck.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends placing all children 12 and under in the rear seat. In the event that no option exists for placing a child in the rear seat, the following steps should be taken:
- Properly restrain the child.
- Push vehicle seat all the way back to maximize distance between child and air bag.
- Seat child directly against the seat back.
- Children should never be left unattended in vehicles.
- Only licensed drivers should be allowed to transport children.
- Appropriate child-to-caregiver ratios should be maintained during the transportation of children.
- Strict policies should be developed to prevent persons under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs from operating vehicles while transporting children.
- Automobile insurance should be maintained to meet or exceed minimum state standards.
- Vehicles should be routinely inspected and maintained to ensure that all safety features are operational.
- There should be no smoking in vehicles when transporting children.
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