Safe Places for Early Care and Education

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that has no smell, color, or taste. It can cause illness or death within minutes at high levels. CO builds up quickly in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas.

Common Sources

CO forms when fuels don’t burn completely. Common sources include:

• Gas furnaces and water heaters
• Cars, trucks, and boats
• Gas stoves, ovens, and lanterns
• Fireplaces, wood stoves, and charcoal grills
• Small engines (generators, chainsaws, trimmers)
• Kerosene or propane heaters
• Tobacco smoke

About 50% of CO poisonings happen in homes, 40% from vehicles, and 10% at work.

Who is Most at Risk?

Anyone can be poisoned, but higher-risk groups include:

• Unborn babies, infants, and children
• Pregnant women
• People with heart or lung disease, anemia, or respiratory illness
• Smokers (already have higher CO levels)

How Exposure Happens

CO exposure occurs when fuel-burning appliances or engines run in areas with poor ventilation—such as inside homes, garages, or tents. Idling vehicles in enclosed garages can quickly create deadly levels of CO.

Symptoms of CO Poisoning

Early signs can be mistaken for the flu:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue or weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chest pain or shortness of breath
• Confusion

High levels can cause loss of consciousness or death. People may die in their sleep without noticing symptoms.

What to Do in an Emergency

• Go outside immediately for fresh air.
• Call 911.
• If someone is unconscious and cannot move, open doors and windows and turn off the CO source if it’s safe to do so.

CO Detectors

• Install carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas and on every floor.
• Test alarms monthly and replace batteries regularly.
• Replace detectors according to manufacturer instructions.
• If the alarm sounds, evacuate and call 911.
• Homes with hardwired detectors should also have battery backup.

Preventing CO Poisoning During Power Outages

• Never use charcoal or gas grills indoors, in garages, tents, or campers.
• Don’t burn charcoal in fireplaces—it doesn’t vent properly.
• Keep generators at least 20 feet from buildings and away from vents or windows.
• Never use gas ovens or stoves for heat.
• Don’t sleep near unvented gas or kerosene heaters.

Medical Testing

CO levels can be measured in blood, breath, or urine, but results are only useful soon after exposure. If you think you’ve been exposed, go outside, call 911, and seek medical help right away.

Helpful Links About Carbon Monoxide

Clean and Disinfect Safely and Effectively

Cleaning and disinfecting your early learning center is important for reducing the spread of germs. Cleaning and disinfecting can help reduce the spread virsuses and infectious disease.  But did you know some products used for cleaning and disinfecting are harmful to people when used incorrectly?

Children and people with asthma or allergies are often more sensitive to chemicals present in cleaning supplies.  Take precautions when cleaning in your center and follow safe cleaning principles provided below.

Routine Cleaning

• Wear gloves (reusable or disposable) when cleaning and disinfecting.
• Clean with soap and water first to remove dirt and germs, then disinfect to kill remaining germs.
• Focus on frequently touched surfaces, such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, counters, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, and sinks.

Safe Use of Disinfectants

• Read and follow all label directions carefully.
• Wear protective gear such as gloves and eye protection if splashing is possible.
• Ensure good ventilation when using disinfectants.
• Use only the recommended amount and room-temperature water (unless otherwise directed).
• Never mix chemicals together.
• Label any diluted cleaning solutions and store them safely out of children’s reach.
• Do not use disinfectants on pets unless specifically approved for animal use.

Disinfecting with Bleach

• Use EPA-registered disinfectants whenever possible. A full list is available at EPA List N.
• You can also use diluted household bleach (5–6% sodium hypochlorite) if it’s not expired and appropriate for the surface.
• Do not mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.
• Contact time: Leave the solution on the surface for at least one minute.

Mixing instructions:

• 5 tablespoons (⅓ cup) bleach per gallon of water, or
• 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water.
• Bleach solutions are effective for up to 24 hours.

Cleaning Soft Surfaces

• Clean carpets, rugs, and drapes with soap and water or products made for those materials.
• If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water and dry them completely.
• If needed, disinfect with an EPA-approved product and vacuum as usual.

Laundry

• Wash items using the warmest water recommended and dry completely.
• Wear gloves when handling laundry from a sick person.
• Avoid shaking dirty laundry to prevent spreading germs.
• It’s safe to wash sick individuals’ laundry with others’ items.
• Clean and disinfect hampers regularly.
• Remove gloves and wash hands immediately after handling dirty laundry.

Helpful Links About Cleaning and Disinfecting

Lead Poisoning: What ECE's Need to Know

What is Lead Poisoning?

Lead is a toxic metal that can harm the brain, nervous system, and other organs. In children, even low levels of exposure can slow growth, cause learning and behavior problems, reduce attention and IQ, and in severe cases, cause seizures, coma, or death.

Who is at Risk?

• Children and infants are most vulnerable because their bodies absorb lead more easily and their developing systems are more sensitive.
• Older homes or buildings built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint.
• Certain hobbies (like refinishing old furniture) or living near industrial sites can increase exposure.
• Common Sources of Lead
• Lead-based paint in older homes
• Contaminated soil from paint chips or past insecticides
• Drinking water from lead pipes or plumbing fixtures
• Toys, jewelry, imported spices, makeup, or folk remedies
• Air near industrial facilities or during renovation of lead-painted surfaces

Symptoms of Lead Poisoning

Symptoms may be subtle and often appear after dangerous levels accumulate.

In children:

• Irritability, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss
• Abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation
• Learning and attention problems

In infants exposed before birth:

• Slowed growth
• Learning difficulties

In adults:

• High blood pressure, headaches, muscle weakness
• Memory problems, mood changes
• Reproductive issues, miscarriage, or premature birth

How to Assess and Protect Your Building

• Lead paint inspection: Certified inspectors can test surfaces using XRF machines or lab analysis of paint chips.
• Safe water practices: Run cold water for 2–3 minutes each morning; avoid using hot tap water for drinking or cooking.
• Regular cleaning: Wash hands, bottles, pacifiers, and toys; clean floors and window sills frequently.
• Dietary support: Provide calcium and low-fat foods to help reduce lead absorption.
• Renovation precautions: Don’t use high-heat tools, sanding, or scraping on surfaces that may contain lead; hire professionals for lead-safe repairs.
• Other sources: Be aware of lead in imported spices, makeup, folk medicines, and candy.

Key Takeaway

Even small amounts of lead can have lasting effects on children’s health and development. Prevent exposure by maintaining safe environments, testing for lead hazards, and practicing proper cleaning and dietary measures.

Helpful Links About Lead

Poor Indoor Air Affects Health

Clean air is essential to a healthy learning environment. Poor air quality—indoors or outdoors—can make it harder for students to breathe, focus, and learn. Children, teens, and staff with asthma or other respiratory conditions are especially sensitive to polluted air and temperature extremes. Air pollution is linked to asthma attacks, allergies, respiratory illness, and even mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

When indoor air quality is poor, students may experience:

• Asthma attacks or wheezing
• Coughing and shortness of breath
• Headaches and eye irritation
• Fatigue or difficulty concentrating
• Increased risk of infections

Maintaining good indoor air quality helps reduce absenteeism and supports student success.

How can air pollution affect children?

Air pollution problems in child care facilities can increase long- and short-term health problems for children.   Failure to have good indoor air quality can lead to health problems such as: 

• Asthma attacks
• Wheezing and cough
• Shortness of breath
• Headaches
• Eye irritation
• Shortness of breath
• Susceptibility to infections

Improving Indoor Air Quality

Schools can protect students and staff by:

• Properly maintaining HVAC systems to provide clean, filtered air
• Controlling moisture to prevent mold growth
• Managing pests using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) instead of chemicals
• Testing for radon and using carbon monoxide detectors near boilers, stoves, or water heaters
• Avoiding harsh cleaning chemicals and unnecessary pesticide use

Helpful Links About Indoor Air Quality

Where Mold Grows

Mold can grow anywhere indoors or outdoors year-round. It is most often found in bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, closets, and basements—any place with moisture and warmth. The first step to eliminating mold is finding and stopping the source of moisture.

Signs of Moisture Problems

Look for:

• Wet or water-stained walls, ceilings, or floors
• Wet carpet or condensation on windows
• Damp soil or standing water in crawl spaces

Common moisture sources include:

• Leaking roofs or broken pipes
• Poor drainage around the home
• Water seeping through basement walls
• Malfunctioning air conditioners

Visit the EPA's Mold House for more information on identifying moisture sources.

Steps to Control Moisture

You must fix the moisture problem first—otherwise, mold will return even after cleaning.

Repairs and Drainage

• Fix roof leaks or broken pipes promptly.
• Maintain gutters and slope ground away from the foundation.
• Use vapor barriers and sealants in basements or crawl spaces.
• Consider sump pumps or French drains if water collects near the foundation.

Ventilation

• Use fans and dehumidifiers to keep air dry.
• Vent bathroom and kitchen fans to the outdoors.
• Ensure crawl spaces and basements are well ventilated.

How to Clean Mold

• Clean hard surfaces with soap and water.
• Bleach is usually unnecessary unless sewage is involved.
• If used, ventilate well and never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners.
• Bleach fumes can irritate lungs and trigger asthma.

When to Replace Materials

• Porous materials—like drywall, carpet, insulation, or ceiling tiles—should be removed and replaced if moldy.
• Painting or caulking over mold will not fix the problem.
• Follow EPA’s Table 1: Water Damage – Cleanup and Mold Prevention for detailed guidance.

Should You Test for Mold?

Testing is not recommended. All molds can cause problems, and there are no national standards for “safe” mold levels. The Tennessee Department of Health, CDC, and EPA do not test or recommend testing. Focus on fixing the moisture and cleaning visible mold instead.

If the moisture source is unclear, you can use:

• Moisture meters to detect water inside walls or flooring
• Humidity monitors to measure moisture in the air (ideal range: 30–50%)

Hire Licensed Help

Always use a licensed contractor for home repairs. Verify licenses with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.

Helpful Links About Mold

Keeping Your Child Care Facility Pest-Free

What is a Pest?

A pest is any organism that can harm health, damage property, or cause economic loss. Common pests include insects (ants, cockroaches, mosquitoes, bed bugs), rodents (mice, rats), unwanted plants (weeds), and microorganisms (bacteria). Some pests spread disease, trigger allergies, or cause other illnesses.

Preventing Pests

• Keep your facility clean: don’t leave food or pet food out, wash dishes, and clean floors and counters regularly.
• Seal cracks, holes, and gaps to prevent pests from entering.
• Remove standing water to reduce mosquito breeding.

Pesticides and Safety

• Only use pesticides approved for indoor use and follow label directions.
• Keep children away from chemicals.
• Never overuse or mix products.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

IPM combines cultural, biological, and chemical methods to prevent pest problems rather than trying to eliminate all pests. Learn more at the UT Child-Serving Facility IPM webpage.

Common Pests in Child Care Facilities

• Rodents: Seal entry points; use traps instead of poisons near children.
• Cockroaches: Keep areas dry and clean; baits are safer and more effective than sprays.
• Mosquitoes: Eliminate standing water and use barriers to prevent bites.
• Ants: Use baits to target the colony, not just visible ants. Red fire ants can bite and sting.
• Spiders: Seal cracks; only Black Widow and Brown Recluse are dangerous.
• Bed Bugs: Inspect used furniture, use mattress covers, and hire professionals for infestations.
• Head Lice: Spread by head-to-head contact. Treat with approved shampoos or lotions and comb out nits; wash clothing and bedding in hot water.

Key Takeaway

A clean, well-maintained facility and safe pest control practices protect children and staff. Regular monitoring, preventive measures, and safe use of pesticides keep your child care environment healthy.

Helpful Links About Pest Management