Babysitting Safety Tips
Finding the Babysitter
The best sources of child care information are the recommendations of
family, friends, and neighbors. You may also advertise in the newspaper or
through your local high school, church or civic organization.
Hiring the Babysitter
Once you have a list of possible sitters, check their references carefully.
Contact past employers, teacher, relatives, friends or neighbors and ask
them about the sitter’s qualifications for child care.
Interview several prospective sitters personally and observe their
interaction with your children.
Look for mature and responsible people who listen and respond well to
your children and appear relaxed and happy with them.
Outline the duties and responsibilities then discuss an imagined
emergency situation and how he/she responds to it.
When you decide on a sitter who meets your standards, discuss the hours
and pay. Also write down his/her name, home address and telephone
number and , if an adult, their driver’s license number.
When the Babysitter Arrives
Ask him/her to arrive at least 15 minutes before you leave.
Take the sitter around the house and show him/her any first aid
equipment and all doors and possible exits.
Discuss the rules regarding the television, snacks and bedtime with both
the children and the sitter present.
Other potential situations that may place the sitter and the children in an
uncomfortable situation (e.g.. neighborhood crime, street situations, a
non-custodial parent, an unfriendly pet at home or nearby) should be
discussed.
Babysitter’s Specific Information
Phone numbers where the parents are going and a reasonable time of
when they will return.
A list of phone numbers for police, fire department, ambulance, and any
other important names and numbers beside the phone. Include names
and phone numbers of neighbors who may be able to assist in an event of
an emergency.
A complete street address of the house and explicit directions of where it
is. This is good information to have available should the sitter need to
contact the police, fire department or ambulance.
List of any medical problems that may arise and how to deal with them as
well as any medicines to give, plus family doctor’s name and phone
number.
Rules concerning answering the door or other situations that may place
your sitter and the children in an uncomfortable situation.(e.g..
neighborhood crime, street situations, a non-custodial parent, an
unfriendly pet at home or nearby)
Upon Your Return Home
Ask the sitter if the children are safe and if anything happened—
telephone calls, visitors, etc.
Make sure the sitter is escorted home and wait until he/she is safely
inside before you leave.
Do not hesitate to praise your sitter for a job well done. With good pay,
good praise and the sitter feeling that they are doing a good job, the
safety of your children should increase.
Important Information:
When the sitter has left, talk to your children about what they did
while you were gone such as games they played and other
activities. Ask your children if anything happened that made
them feel uncomfortable or afraid.
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