If you’ve worked in child care for any length of time, you know accidents are part of the job. Kids are learning to jump, climb, and explore — and that means the occasional injury is inevitable. Being prepared isn’t just about handling rare emergencies; it’s about knowing how to respond to everyday situations safely and confidently.

That’s why South Carolina requires every child care staff member to complete bloodborne pathogens training as part of licensing and safety regulations. Our free online Blood Borne Pathogens course is designed specifically for South Carolina providers — giving you the tools you need to stay prepared.

While accidents are common in child care, a calm, confident response keeps the kids and you safe. These five safety practices will help you handle incidents involving blood or potentially infectious bodily fluids quickly and effectively.

What Are Bloodborne Pathogens?

Before we dive in, let's take a moment to revisit what bloodborne pathogens are and why understanding them is essential.

Bloodborne pathogens are harmful microorganisms found in human blood that can lead to serious illnesses like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. These viruses spread through direct contact with infected blood or certain bodily fluids such as semen or vaginal secretions. Fluids like urine, sweat, tears, and vomit are not considered bloodborne risks unless they contain visible traces of blood.

It’s also important to understand that bloodborne diseases aren’t spread through casual interactions. Everyday activities like hugging, touching, or sharing food and utensils don’t pose a risk. Likewise, you won’t contract these diseases from coughing, sneezing, or using public facilities such as restrooms or swimming pools.

1. Know When To Use Gloves

Wearing gloves is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Anytime you’re handling blood — whether it’s from a scraped knee, bloody nose, or cut — gloves should be your first line of defense. They create a barrier between your skin and potentially infectious fluids, reducing the chance of transmission.

It’s a good habit to use gloves when dealing with bodily fluids that could contain blood, even if no visible blood is present. This includes instances like cleaning up vomit or changing a diaper.

For best protection:

• Wash your hands before putting on gloves to prevent contamination.
• Ensure gloves fit properly and are free of tears or holes.
• Remove gloves carefully by turning them inside out without touching the outer surface. Dispose of them immediately in a sealed plastic bag.
• Finally, always wash your hands again after removing gloves to eliminate any lingering germs.

By making glove use a routine practice, you’ll reduce the risk of exposure and create a safer environment for both children and staff.

2. Clean and Disinfect Thoroughly

Special cleaning needs to take place anytime there's a risk of bloodborne pathogens. Follow these three steps to ensure your environment is safe:

• Clean all surfaces, toys, and tools with soap and water to remove debris and reduce germs.
• Disinfect the area using an EPA-approved disinfectant or a bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water).
• Dispose of cleaning materials (like paper towels or cloths) that have touched blood or bodily fluids in a sealed plastic garbage bag. Take that bag outside and place it in the trash immediately.

If blood or other bodily fluids get on your clothes or a child’s clothing, those items should be carefully removed, placed in a sealed plastic bag, and either sent home for washing or discarded if heavily soiled.

Taking these steps every time — even for minor spills — is essential to keeping your child care space clean, safe, and ready for play.

3. Make Sure All Areas Are Equipped with First Aid Supplies

Accidents can happen anywhere — on the playground, in the classroom, or even during a neighborhood walk. That’s why it’s important to have well-stocked first aid supplies accessible wherever children are present.

In addition to keeping first aid kits in your center’s main office, keep stocked emergency kits in:

• Classrooms
• Recreation rooms
• Playgrounds
• A backpack for walks or field trips

Some providers keep their first aid kits in a backpack, one for each classroom. This makes the kits portable, so they go wherever the kids and teachers go. Backpacks can also hold a binder with attendance sheets, emergency contact information, allergy details, and any relevant medical instructions. Having this information on hand ensures you’re prepared to respond quickly in case of injury or emergency.

4. Regularly Check and Stock First Aid Kits

First aid supplies are most useful when they’re fully stocked and up to date. Over time, essential items like bandages, gloves, and ice packs get used up — often faster than you’d expect. Especially important emergency medications like EpiPens or inhalers can expire.

• Schedule routine checks to ensure each kit is fully stocked at least every three months, if not more frequently. Create a checklist so you can track what needs to be replaced.
• Check expiration dates on items like medications and replace anything that’s expired.
• Restock frequently used supplies like bandages, gloves, and ice packs — these can run out quickly in busy child care settings.

By building regular supply checks into your routine, you’ll ensure your first aid kits are always ready when you need them most.

5. Stay Up to Date on Training

Education is one of the most powerful tools for preventing the spread of bloodborne pathogens. South Carolina requires child care providers to complete annual bloodborne pathogen training as part of licensing requirements — but it’s more than just a box to check. Staying informed ensures you know what to do in real-life situations when accidents happen.

Make it a habit to review safety procedures regularly, practice proper glove use, and ensure new staff are equipped with the knowledge they need to stay safe. Additionally, posting clear guidelines in key areas — like classrooms, break rooms, and first-aid stations — can help reinforce best practices for everyone on staff.

By keeping training fresh in your mind and making safety a priority, you’ll create a more secure environment for the children in your care — and peace of mind for yourself and your team.

🌟 Unlimited Access to South Carolina-Aligned Training 🌟

ProSolutions Training offers subscriptions with state-aligned courses tailored for South Carolina. These comprehensive training options make sure staff memers are classroom-ready compliant with state requirements.

Here are a few key courses included in our subscription:

✅ Health and Safety Pre-Service Certificate

✅ Classroom Management 101

✅ And many more South Carolina-approved courses!

Our subscription is designed to make staff training easier, help you meet compliance, and allow your team to manage their classrooms confidently.

For Child Care Center Directors:

Managing training for your entire staff? Our Group Subscription includes unlimited access to all required South Carolina health and safety courses, including Bloodborn Pathogens Safety training. Track completion, manage assignments, and ensure compliance all in one place. Director features include staff tracking, assignment management, and comprehensive reporting—all designed to save you time and reduce your administrative burden. 📊

For Individual Teachers:

Want access to all South Carolina-required courses at one affordable price? Our Individual Subscription gives you unlimited access to our complete South Carolina course library, including all annual required training. Perfect for teachers looking to advance their careers and maintain their credentials with high-quality, state-approved training.

This blog post is for informational purposes and does not replace comprehensive Bloodborne Pathogens training. For official South Carolina child care licensing requirements, please refer to the South Carolina Division of Early Care and Education website.