Babysitting Safety Tips:

Caring for our young children is one of the biggest responsibilities that you will ever have. You must be able to protect yourself as well as the children.

The following information is directed to you, the parents so you may educate your children in babysitting responsibilities:

Ensure that you know your employer before you take on the job. Check references if this will be the first time working for this person, or accept jobs only from people you already know. Always beware of strangers.

Make sure your parents know where you are babysitting. Leave them the name, address, and telephone number of the people you are sitting for, and let them know what time to expect you home.

Find out what time the parents expect to be home. Let them know if you have a curfew. Ask them to call if they are running late.

Here are 18 tips to "Babysitting Safety"

  1. TIP #1
    Ask the parents to show you the location of emergency exits, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers.

  2. TIP #2
    Make sure you have the telephone number of where the parents are going.

  3. TIP #3
    If the house or apartment has an electronic security system, learn how to use it.

  4. TIP #4
    Be sure you know how to work the door and window locks, especially if they need a key. Lock all doors and windows and leave an outside light on.

  5. TIP #5
    Do not open up the door to strangers. Don’t let anyone in the door or on the phone know you are there alone. If asked, respond by saying that you are visiting, the children(s) parents cannot come to the phone or door, and that you’ll deliver a message.

  6. TIP #6
    If you are babysitting during the day, you may take the children outside. If you are in the back yard, make sure the front door is locked and vice versa.

  7. TIP #7
    If you plan on taking the children to a park or anywhere else, make sure you have a house key to lock and unlock doors. Double check doors and windows before you leave and make sure the children have gone to the bathroom before you leave so you don’t have to use public toilets. 

  8. TIP #8
         When you come back into the house don’t go inside if anything seems unusual (a broken window, door open, etc.,) Go to a neighbor and call the police.

  9. TIP #9
    If you ever feel uneasy or suspicious about something you hear, don’t hesitate to call the police.

  10. TIP #10
    Ensure you have transportation to and from the babysitting job.

  11. TIP #11
    Get specific instructions from the employer about the children such as the number and ages of the children, bed times, foods, medicines and other information about their personal habits.

  12. TIP #12
    Get the telephone number and name of an alternate person to contact in case of an emergency.

  13. TIP #13
    At night ensure outside lights are on.

  14. TIP #14
    Have emergency numbers and a pen and paper beside the telephone

  15. TIP #15
    Call home to let someone know that you are on your way.

  16. TIP #16
    Ensure you have an escort home.

  17. TIP #17
    If you employer seems to be intoxicated and can’t walk or drive you home, call home and ask someone to come and get you.

  18. TIP #18
    IN AN EMERGENCY:

    If there is a fire, get the children and yourself Out! Go to a neighbor’s and call the fire department. If you can, call the parents immediately and let them know where you and the children are, and what is happening. Try not to panic during an emergency. It will not only hinder your ability to think clearly, but will frighten the children. If you suspect the children ingested poison, contact the fire department or 911 immediately. Try to be able to identify the suspected poison and the amount taken.

Caring for our young children is one of the biggest responsibilities that you will ever have. You must be able to protect yourself as well as the children.

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