A risk management e-newsletter for nonprofits

November 2011

A True Story

 

A custodian at a nonprofit agency was repairing a toilet. When he disconnected the pipe, he realized he had forgotten to shut off the water. Water began spilling onto the floor causing substantial damage to the building and contents.
 
Moral of the Story
 
Plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work require special expertise. If your maintenance staff is not qualified in these trades, protect your organization by using a reputable and insured contractor. 
Risk+Reward
is a quarterly e-newsletter highlighting the risk management activities of First Nonprofit and the nonprofits we serve. For more information on our products and services, contact Jaclyn Goudie at
or 312.239.8382. 
New Crib: Safer Baby
Babies will sleep safer with new crib safety guidelines set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The CPSC approved standards that mandate fixed-side cribs to prevent children from climbing or falling out.

The commission also voted unanimously to ban traditional drop-side cribs, those with sides that move up and down for easy access. The ban is in response to many cribs recalls and the deaths of more than 30 infants and toddlers over the last 10 years.

While the CPSC's new regulations apply to the sale and resale of cribs by manufacturers and retailers, the rules also apply to hotels, day care centers, and child care facilities.

First Nonprofit strongly recommends that foster care providers, shelters, churches, and other nonprofits that care for infants implement these safety precautions as well.

General crib guidelines include:
  • A tight-fitted firm mattress so babies cannot get trapped between the mattress and the crib.
  • No missing, loose, broken, or improperly installed screws, brackets, or other hardware on the crib or mattress support.
  • No more than 2 3/8 inches (about the width of a soda can) between crib slats.
  • No corner posts over 1/16 of an inch high so a baby's clothing cannot snag.
  • No cutouts in the headboard or footboard so a child's head cannot become trapped

All cribs manufactured prior to December 2010 should be removed from a nonprofit's inventory and disposed of unless the cribs meet the CPSC's new standards. Resale shops should remove old cribs from their inventory to meet the guidelines.

Visit www.cpsc.gov or e-mail risk@firstnonprofit.com for a full list of updated crib specifications and more information on crib safety.

Prevent Field Trips

to the Emergency Room

Did you know that 8 out of 100 children under the age of 18 have a food allergy? Most kids would rather watch an ambulance drive by than be inside of one. Unfortunately, food-related allergic reactions account for approximately 50,000 emergency room visits each year. By following a few simple guidelines, schools and child care centers can reduce the number of allergic reactions.

 

A child of any age, from toddler to teen, can suffer a life threatening allergic food reaction. When a child with a food allergy encounters certain foods, they can enter anaphylaxis.  Severe allergic reactions may require an immediate injection of epinephrine and medical attention.

 

Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include a rapid or weak pulse, difficulty swallowing, tingling or itching in the mouth or throat, swelling of the lips or tongue, hives, skin rash, wheezing, nasal congestion, or trouble breathing.

  

Common food allergy culprits 

peanutsshellfish
wheatsoy
eggsmilk
tree nutsfish

  

Prepare your organization for severe food allergy reactions with a coordinated response program that is familiar among all staff and volunteers. Even better, reduce risk through food allergy education and prevention.

 

Find out more about food allergies at www.cdc.gov or e-mail risk@firstnonprofit.com.

Nonprofit Risk Management Library

First Nonprofit has an expansive collection of Risk Management literature covering topics from fire safety and bullying prevention to building maintenance and tornado survival. Publications are available to all of our nonprofit policyholders free of charge. For a complete list e-mail risk@firstnonprofit.com.
First Nonprofit Risk Management e-Newsletter

November 2011