Babysitting Safety

Babysitting is a job that carries a large responsibility and one should not treat babysitting as just a way to earn money. Your child should approach the job with a mature and responsible attitude. Every babysitting assignment should be carefully planned to ensure the safety and well being of both child and babysitter.

HELPFUL BABYSITTING TIPS

• Enroll your child in a babysitting course, which is available to young people over 11 years of age at most community centres.
• Enroll your child in a First Aid/CPR course
• Babysitters should clearly state the days they are available, hours of work, experience they have, and the pay they consider fair
• They should get specific information such as: parent's name, address, phone number, number of children and their ages, escort and transportation that will be provided to and from the job, etc.
• They should write all information down to avoid confusion or misunderstandings
• They should not accept a job if they don't know the person calling. They should first ask who recommended them, then check back. If in doubt, they should refuse.
• They should never advertise on bulletin boards. It may solicit unwanted responses.

PRECAUTIONS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN WHILE BABYSITTING

• Check all windows and lock all doors
• Do not allow anyone inside without prior permission from your employer
• Never admit on the telephone or at the door that you are the babysitter

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A FIRE?

• Get the children out of the home and call 9-1-1
• Do not re-enter the home
• Keep a close watch on the children so that they do not try and re-enter the home or get in the way of emergency personnel
• Contact the home owner and your parent

How can babysitters guard against accidents?

• Pick up toys left on the stairs, in hall or other pathways
• Be alert to possible child hazards (medicines in bathroom, dangerous utensils in kitchen, electrical outlets)
• Check frequently on children while they are playing
• Do not operate appliances or equipment, unless permission was given by the employer

HOW TO BE SAFE ON THE STREET WITH CHILDREN

• Babysitters should never take the children into someone else's home or vehicle unless permission was granted by the children's parents
• They should not take the children to secluded parks, woods, parking lots, or school yards  particularly late afternoon or evening
• Precautions should be taken when attending after school activities:
• Babysitters should plan the best route with their employer, avoiding unsafe/dangerous places
• They should stay on that route and identify the neighbourhood safe houses, businesses, or stores they can go to in an emergency
• Babysitters should always listen to their instincts, that little voice inside that tells them when something does not feel quite right

INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR A MESSAGE CENTRE (a list left by the children’s parents):

• A number where employer can be reached
• The children's routes to and from school
• Neighbours or friends phone numbers
• Emergency numbers: Poison Information Center, Police, Fire Department, and Ambulance
• Location of the children's health cards
• Medical Background for each child: allergies, epileptic seizures, etc. ( if medication is required, they should know the times and the proper dosage to be given

RESPECT THE HOMES AND PARENT’S WISHES BY:

• NOT eating any food unless you have permission
• NOT open closets or drawers or read personal letters open to view
• NOT allow friends to visit while you are babysitting
• NOT make prolonged personal phone calls
• Having specific instructions for handling incoming calls or actions to be taken if the doorbell rings - NEVER tell anyone who calls or visits that they are alone

Your child is there to do a job – watching the children. Accidents can happen at anytime, but your child needs to know that they can prevent a lot of them if they are paying attention and with the children.