GUIDE FOR BABY SITTERS

Baby sitting is a very big responsibility to trust upon someone and for someone to accept. As a baby sitter you are not only taking on the responsibility to care for the child but to keep them safe. Here are some tips that parents and baby sitters can follow to better prepare themselves for such a big responsibility.

Disclaimer: The tips listed below provide suggestions on how to be prepared for various situations. They are not a guarantee that you will not be faced with a serious situation which requires quick thinking and reactions on your part. They are intended to reduce the opportunity for a problem to arise that you are not prepared for and to give you some guidelines to follow if a problem was to occur.

- Have the following information written down and readily accessible in the event of an emergency: Family name, children's names, house address with nearest cross street, instructions on how to contact the parents, phone number(s) of close relatives and neighbors, doctor's name and phone number. Include the phone number of the poison control center (800) 256-9822 in Louisiana. Please look up the phone number for your area. Here is a blank emergency information form that can be printed and kept near the telephone.

- In the event of an emergency: Call 911: identify yourself by name, tell them you are baby sitting and state the problem. State the address of the house where you are and the nearest cross street. (Be sure to specify north, South, Avenue, Street, etc.) Give the phone number you are calling from.

- Have written instructions about any medicines to be given to the children, include doses and times to be administered.

- When answering the telephone, never give out any personal information or let the person who calls know that you are alone.

- If they is a gun in the home make sure that it is unloaded and secured. See our Firearms Safety Rules Page.

- Reduce any distractions that may take away your attention from your primary responsibilities.

- Remember most utility companies work during normal business hours unless there is an emergency and then they still should not have a reason to enter a residence.

- Having visitors while baby sitting is a bad policy. Always get approval if you would like to have a visitor.

- Become familiarized with any family pets.

- Take a walk through the house and check for any special locks, windows that cannot be climbed out of, other telephones and anything all that would be a problem in case of an emergency.

- During the walk through, check for hazards and things that the children can get into, such as matches, lighter fluid, electric cords, plastic bags, medication, or anything else that may be dangerous.

- Look to see if there is a pool. Check for doggie doors and any unlocked doors or windows leading to that area.

- Have a mental fire drill: that is, plan on more ways than one to get yourself and the children out of the house in case of fire.

- Be sure to find out if you are to give the children anything to eat or drink before bed.

- Have a set bed time and any special rules that must be followed outlined. Parents remember that it is best not to deviate from any standing rules because the children will be with a baby sitter.

- Baby sitters make sure your parents have the telephone number to where you will be and the expected time that you will be returning home. If there are any changes call and let them know.

- Make sure all the doors and windows are locked from the inside, and lock the front door after the parents leave.

WHAT TO DO AFTER THE PARENTS LEAVE

- If it is evening, turn on the porch/outside light.

- Again make sure that all doors are locked.

- If the children are asleep, check on them about every 15 minutes.

- If the children are up, know their location at all times and never leave them alone too long.

- If for any reason you must leave the house, TAKE THE CHILDREN WITH YOU!

- DO NOT open the door for anyone unless you personally know the person.

-If someone insists on coming in and you do not recognize them, or if you suspect a prowler, CALL THE POLICE AT 911.

IN CASE OF FIRE

- Sound the alarm -- yell FIRE as loud as possible.

- If possible, close the door to the area where the fire is.

- DO NOT attempt to extinguish the fire, but rather attempt to save a life.

- Get everyone out of the house, and do not go back in for any reason.

- Keep all the children together, and go to the approved neighbors's home.

- Call the Fire Department at 911 and leave the children with the neighbors, then go back outside to direct the fire fighters to the fire if you need to.