With all the holiday parties at this time of year, many of us are faced with the task of hiring a babysitter.
You may already have a trusted babysitter, but if not, here are some tips from Safe Kids USA on babysitter safety:
Selecting a Babysitter
- Choose a babysitter recommended by a trusted source such as a relative or a close friend.
- Request references for the babysitter you are considering and talk with references before leaving your children with the babysitter.
- Make sure the babysitter is qualified to care for your children and capable of handling an emergency situation.
- Tell your babysitter where you will be, how long you will be gone, and post all your phone numbers in case he or she needs to reach you with any questions or concerns.
Prepare your home and your sitter before you leave.
- If you have an infant, ensure your babysitter knows that no soft bedding, pillows, or stuffed animals should be placed with the infant in the crib.
- Test the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with your babysitter so he or she will know the sound of the alarms in case they activate. Make sure he or she knows the family’s outside meeting place in case of an emergency and to call the fire department from a neighbor’s home or cell phone once outside.
- Ask him or her to cut food into small pieces before feeding young children in the home. Instruct him or her not to give any hard, round foods such as grapes, candy, or peanuts to infants and toddlers.
- Remind your babysitter to latch the safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs and to always use safety straps on high chairs, changing tables, and strollers.
- Ensure that your babysitter knows to stay within arm’s reach of all children when they are in or near water, including the bathtub, pool and spa, and toilet.
