Babysitting Safety Tips
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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 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. Print a copy of the
Street Smart Kidz Emergency Phone List and fill it out.
Rules concerning answering the door or other situations that may
place your sitter and the children in an uncomfortable situation. (ie.
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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