BABYSITTER'S EMERGENCY GUIDE

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MAIN (Return to Top)

Keep these safety tips in mind; they will make your babysitting experience safe for you and the children. Know what to do in emergencies by being prepared for one, knowing what could happen and how to react to it. Your primary responsibility is to care for the children's needs and most of all: keep them safe.

• Only accept babysitting jobs from families you know or from a reliable, personal reference.
• Make sure your parents know where you are babysitting at.
• Leave the name, address and phone number of where you'll be babysitting with your parents
• Find out what time the children's parents expect to return home. Ask them to call if they will be late.
• Be sure the children's parents know what time you need to be home.
• Before the parents leave, have them do a safety check of the house with you.
  • Ask to see the family emergency escape plan.
  • Ask were all of the exits are located.
  • Ask parents to show you the location of smoke alarms (ask if they are working) and fire extinguishers.
  • Know how to work the window and door locks in the house. Lock all doors and windows from the inside after parents leave.
  • If it is evening, turn on an outside light.
  • When walking through the house, check for hazards and any hazards that children may get into, such as matches/lighters, heating devices, medicines, electric appliances, household chemicals or anything else that may be dangerous.
  • Get written instructions about any medications that has to be given to the children
• Have the following information written down (make a checklist) and kept near-by in case of an emergency:
  • Family name
  • Children's names
  • House address with nearest cross street
  • How to contact the parents
  • Phone numbers of close relatives and neighbors
  • Doctors name and phone number
  • Phone number for police department
  • Phone number for poison control center
• Have a mental drill: that is, plan on more ways than one to get yourself and the children out of the house in case of fire.

WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY (Return to Top)

• If you suspect an emergency (fire, gas leak, etc.) get the children and yourself out. Keep the children together and go to a neighbor's house and call the fire department.
• In a fire, if possible, close the door to the area where the fire is. Do not attempt to put out the fire. Get out and stay out.
• Call 911 or the local emergency number:
  • Stay calm and speak clearly and slowly
  • Identify yourself by name
  • Give the location of the emergency including cross street.
  • State what the emergency is.
  • Give the phone number you are calling from.
  • Answer all questions asked by the emergency dispatcher.
  • Don't hang up until you are told to do so.
• If you can, call the children's parents and let them know where you and the children are.
• Do not go back into the house for anything.

OTHER BABYSITTING TIPS (Return to Top)

• If you suspect that a child has swallowed a poison, contact the Poison Control Center or the family doctor. Be able to identify the poison and the amount taken.
• In case of an accident, don't try to be a doctor or nurse except for minor cuts or bruises. Call for help if the injury is serious.
• Prevent play accidents by supervising where the children play, what they play with and teach them to safe play.
• Depend on parent or neighbor in any emergency situation you are not sure how to handle yourself.
• Do not open doors to strangers. Don't let anyone at the door or on the phone know that you are alone. If someone insists on coming in and you do not recognize them, or if you think there is a prowler outside, call the police.
• If the phone rings while you are babysitting, don't tell the caller that you are alone. Tell them that the residents can't come to the phone and you will take a message. If the caller persists, just hang up.
• If the children are asleep, check on them periodically. If they are awake, know where they are at all times and never leave them alone too long.
• Be sure to find out if you are to give the children anything to eat or drink before going to bed.
• If the you and the children are outside, lock the back door if you are out in front or lock the front door if you are in the back.
• If for any reason you must leave the house, take the children with you.
• If you plan on taking the children to a playground or anywhere else, make sure you have the house key with you. Double check doors and windows before you leave.
• Have children go to the bathroom before you go anywhere so can avoid using public restrooms.
• Don't talk to strangers while you are out with the children. If you suspect that you are being followed, go to a nearby phone and call the police.
• When you return to the children's house, if anything seems unusual, such as an open door, broken window or a strange car parked outside, don't go in. Go to a neighbor's house and call police.
• Anytime you are suspicious about something you might see or hear, don't hesitate to call the police.
• If there is a pool, check to see that the fence surrounding the pool is secure and see if any doors or windows leading to the pool area are unlocked.
• Be sure to meet the family dog and get aquatinted with it.
• Always get approval if you would like to have a visitor.

AFTER BABYSITTING JOB IS OVER (Return to Top)

• When children's parents return home, report on what has happened during you stay, especially if you considered anything unusual.
• Call home to let someone know that you are returning.
• Be sure you have an escort home.
• If for some reason the children's parents can't drive or walk you home, or if they seem intoxicated, call someone at your home to come and get you.
• Never go home alone from a night job.

The safety information enclosed was compiled from the best sources available to us. The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance and authors cannot assume any liability for its effectiveness in every emergency situation.