When you babysit, you are entrusted with a
child's life. Your primary responsibility is to care for the
children's needs and most of all: keep them safe. You can
prepare yourself for this important trust by following these
guidelines.
- Have the following information written
down and readily accessible in the event of an emergency:
Family name, children's names, house address with nearest
cross street, instructions on how to contact the parents,
phone number(s) of close relatives and neighbors, doctor's
name and phone number along with a medical release. Include
the number of the poison control center
(1-800-222-1222). If you
have a printer, a blank
emergency information form is available. Just print
it from your computer's browser.
- In the event of an emergency: Call
911: identify
yourself by name, tell them you are babysitting and tell the
dispatcher the problem. Give the address of the house where
you are and the nearest cross street. (Be sure to specify
Avenue, Street, Court etc.) Give the phone number you are
calling from.
- Get written instructions about any
medicines to be given to the children -- how much and what
time.
- Having visitors while babysitting is a
bad idea. Always get approval from the parents if you would
like to have a visitor.
- Find out which neighbor to see in case
of an emergency.
- Be sure to meet the family dog.
- Take a walk through the house and check
for any special locks, windows that cannot be climbed out
of, other telephones and anything at all that would be a
problem in case of an emergency.
- During the walk through, check for
hazards and things that the children can get into, such as
matches, lighter fluid, electric cords, plastic bags,
medication, or anything else that may be dangerous.
- Have a mental fire drill: that is, plan
on more ways than one to get yourself and the children out
of the house in case of fire.
- Be sure to find out if you are to give
the children anything to eat or drink before bed.
- Make sure all the doors and windows are
locked from the inside, and lock the front door after the
parents leave.
WHAT TO DO AFTER THE PARENTS LEAVE
- If it is evening, turn on the
porch/outside light.
- If the children are asleep, check on
them about every 15 minutes.
- If the children are up, know their
location at all times and never leave them alone too long.
- If for any reason you must leave the
house, TAKE THE CHILDREN WITH YOU!
- DO NOT open the door for anyone unless
you personally know the person.
- If someone insists on coming in and you
do not recognize them, or if you suspect a prowler, CALL THE
POLICE AT 911.
IN CASE OF FIRE
- Sound the alarm -- yell FIRE as loud as
possible.
- If possible, close the door to the area
where the fire is.
- DO NOT attempt to extinguish the fire,
but rather attempt to save a life.
- Get everyone out of the house, and do
not go back in for any reason.
- Keep all the children together, and go
to the approved neighbor's home.
- Call the Fire Department at 911 and
leave the children with the neighbors, then go back outside
to direct the firefighters to the fire if you need to.
A well-prepared babysitter will be highly
respected and greatly appreciated by parents. Any sitter who
takes these recommendations to heart will be in great demand.
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