Tips For Safe Babysitting

It's smart to begin your babysitting career by caring for a young brother or sister while your parent is at home busy with other work. If you don't have any younger siblings, you should arrange to take care of the preschooler of a neighbor or family member while the parent is home. You'll get to practice babysitting, but you'll have help available if you have a question or need assistance.

Since babysitting is a big responsibility, you need to be sure you are ready. Safe Sitter® advises you to:

1. Be Prepared. Take a Safe Sitter® course (if available). If not, look for another babysitter training class at your local hospital. You need to know first aid and how to rescue a choking infant or child.

2. Screen Job Requests. When someone asks you to babysit, be sure to ask yourself:

• "Am I able? Can I handle the number and ages of the children, the length of the job, and the responsibilities?"
• Will I be safe? Do I feel safe with the family, their home, and the neighborhood?"

3. Keep Your Parent Informed. Write the following on the family calendar:

• Name of employer
• Phone Number
• Address
• Date and time of departure and return

4. Allow Time with Employer for Instructions. Allow 15 - 30 minutes before the parent leaves to talk about the responsibilities and to tour the house.

• House tour - location of children's rooms, off-limit areas, phones, first aid supplies
• Children's routines - eating, bedtime, toileting, and activities
• House rules - rules for television, computer, visitors, telephone calls

5. Know Emergency Numbers. Before the employer leaves, write down:

• Phone number and address of employer's home
• Name and phone number of an immediately available adult
• Emergency Services
  • Police
  • Ambulance
  • Fire Department
• Phone number for Poison Center (1-800-222-1222)

6. Practice Safe Household Habits. Protect yourself and the children:

• Lock all doors
• Close all blinds and lock windows
• Be careful with phone calls.
• Don't open the door to strangers.

7. Watch Children at all Times. Remember, injuries are the leading cause of death in young children.

8. Be in Control of the Children AT ALL TIMES. Become familiar with employers' approach to discipline. Know how to set limits and correct children. Never slap, shake, or physically punish a child.

9. Obey the House Rules. Breaking rules may get you into dangerous or embarrassing situations. Even if no obvious harm occurs, you will confuse the children and set a bad example.

10. Have Fun! Children are wonderful and well worth your best efforts!