Delhi Govt. issues safety guidelines for childcare institutions

April 23, 2018

The Delhi government has issued directions for security and safety of children in all the childcare institutions in the capital. The women and child development department has issued an order on the directions and compliance of standard operating procedures, saying that all childcare institutions must have an appropriate number of security officers, guards, CCTV cameras and fire extinguishers to ensure safety and security of the children in such institutions. According to the department, there are 107 childcare institutions including 14 government-run centers in Delhi. The order stated that “ Ample number of CCTV cameras must be installed at eminent places of the childcare institutions, especially at the entry and exit gates, perimeter walls, staircase, playgrounds, dining room, entertainment room and administration block so that the activities of the children are monitored effectively.” The women and child development department said that the superintendents in-charge must display important phone numbers of the nearest police stations, fire stations, CATS control room, toll-free child helpline number, doctor-on-call/ nurse, juvenile justice board among many others. The department said there should be an assembly point in every childcare institution where all children and officers are required to gather in case of an emergency situation. Moreover, the order also stated that “ High-mast floodlights must be installed along/ near the perimeter/ boundary walls which must also have barbed wires for the purpose of safety.” In addition, it also talked about efficient steps to be taken in case of fire or earthquake or other similar calamities immediately. Apart from this, “ In case of such incidents, childcare institutions must ensure evacuation of children from all rooms through all available exits to a safe location at a common point outside the building and keep children under vigil,” an official of the department said.