Tips for Babysitting Safety

What is babysitting safety? Do you know how to keep yourself and the kids you are watching safe? Would you know what to do in an emergency or even just a small household accident?

While accidents may not be common, they can happen at any moment even while you are babysitting. And you need to be prepared if they do. The parents and kids will expect you to be prepared - and with the information on babysitting safety below, you can be.

This babysitting safety and emergency form should include basic information, such as:

• Where or how the parents can be reached in an emergency. This can be their cell phone number(s) and/or the name and number of the restaurant or other venue where they will be. You should get at least the names of the places the parents will be going during their time away even if you have the cell phone number.
• Local emergency contacts other than the parents. This can be the next door neighbor or a grandmother. This is someone who can assist immediately in case the parents cannot be reached or return home quickly.
• Emergency numbers for fire, rescue, ambulance, poison control and family doctor.

Here is a free form that you can use for these numbers. You can leave one copy with the parents and keep one copy with you when you leave. The copy you keep can then be used the next time you work for those parents (in case they do not have theirs). This demonstrates that you are serious about taking care of their children as well as being serious about your business. Right click here to download a copy of an emergency information form.

On the job
There are some basic on-the-job babysitting safety techniques you should practice. Not only do these help ensure safety, they will also make the job run more smoothly because there will be fewer things to worry about.

Before the parents leave...

• Have the parents show you all the doors and windows and how to function any alarms or locks that are unique.
• Know the location of first aid supplies and fire extinguishers.
• Ask if the family has a fire safety plan. Be sure that you and the kids know it.
• Get the basic house rules. Can the kids play outside? What appliances should be used?
• Know or find out what is expected of you. Will you need to cook or serve a meal? Is there any homework or chores the kids need to do? Will you need to bathe the children? What time should the children go to bed? Are there any medicines that will need to be administered?
• Get the background on the neighborhood if you are not familiar with it.

After the parents leave...

• Check the windows and doors to make sure they are all secure.
• Keep a continuous watch on the children. Never leave a child unattended. Even if they are in bed, it is still a good idea to check on them occasionally.
• Review the plan for the time you will be there with the children. This is a good way to set the tone, and it shows the children that you are in charge and responsible.
• Do not answer the door to strangers and never tell callers that you are alone. These are the same basic safety tips, not just babysitting safety tips.
• Clean up as you go. Leaving their house in a mess does not leave a good impression on the parents. And while your first priority is the kids, taking care of the house and property is also part of your responsibility.
• HAVE FUN! Yes, this is a job. But it should be entertaining for you and the kids.

It is very important to have open communication with the parents even though it can be hard to talk to certain adults. They need to feel comfortable with you, and this is a big part of that. If they know that you've been practicing basic babysitting safety, they will feel even more at ease.

Finally, be appreciative that the parents trusted you to care for their children. Don't just take the money and run. Let them know if you enjoyed babysitting and if you are available for future jobs and referrals. This is part of running your own business - even if you are only doing it once a week or month. For more tips on the business side of things, see our babysitting business page.

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