Safety

Safety Checklist

There are things that you should know and information that you should get from the parents in order to ensure the safety of both you and the children.

Below is a suggestion for a babysitting safety checklist:

* Cell phone numbers of both parents.
* Are the children allergic to anything?
* Do the children have any medical conditions I should be aware of (asthma, epilepsy, hemophilia, etc)?
* Are the children taking any medications?
* What is the children's bedtime?
* Do the children have any special routines before bedtime?
* Are the children allowed to have friends over?
* Where are the first aid items? (band aids, Neosporin, etc)?
* Where can I locate a flashlight? Do you know of any other items I may need in case of a power outage in an electrical storm?
* Do the children have a nap time? If so, when is that, and how long do the children normally sleep?
* Is there anything else I should know?

Be Extra Safe!

Here are some extra tips to make sure that you are being as safe as possible with the children that you are sitting:

* Make sure that you ask the parents if the child is allergic to anything. If he/she is, and is at a young age, make sure that whatever it is put in such a spot so that the child can not reach it.

* A good idea is not to feed the child you're watching hotdogs, hard candies or anything with peanut butter in it while you're sitting for him/her. These foods can more easily be choked on. Any other foods that you consider a hazard, feel free to put it in a high spot to keep it away from the child.

* It is a good idea to keep the children you're watching in a certain particular area, so that you can make sure everyone's safe. If there are older children you are watching, keep them limited to the house, or if you're outside, to the backyard. Smaller children should stay where you can see them at all times. All children should be kept as far away from a street as possible.

* Make sure that before the parents leave that you've found out if any children need to be given medicine.

* If you see any cleaning fluids left out, put them away right away.

* If you're watching a toddler, keep all doors leading to basement stairs closed, and all bathroom doors closed.

* If you're giving a child a bath, don't leave him/her alone for even two seconds. Make sure that you have all necessary bathing equipment in the bathroom before you put the child in the bathtub.

* If you are watching a young child, and there are dogs, keep the child away from the dog. If at all possible, keep the dog in a separate room or outside.