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Safe Babysitting

PARENT’S GUIDE

BEFORE YOU LEAVE...

• Give sitter exact instructions with regard to naps, friends, snacks, homework and bedtime.
• Point out medications, blankets, bottles, pacifiers, diapers, clothing, toys, and flashlights, etc.
• Tell sitter which rooms are off limits.
• Show where meat and dairy utensils are kept.
• Let sitter know what she may use for herself (e.g. food, books, phone)
• Give instructions for alarms, thermostat, fuses, etc.
• Point out fire extinguisher and show how to use it.
• Discuss escape route for emergency evacuation.
• Tell sitter which neighbor to call for assistance.
• Set rules; who is allowed to enter the home in your absence.
• Tell sitter to write down messages accurately.
• Give approximate time of your return.
• Tell sitter where you can be reached.
• Lock doors and windows.
• Make sure that outside lighting is working.
• House numbers should be clearly visible day or night.
• Give key to two neighbors for lockout or emergency.
• Make sure the sitter is escorted safely home; wait until the sitter enters her house before leaving.

UPDATE YOUR MEDICINE CABINET WITH ITEMS SUCH AS:

• Assorted band aids
• Rolls of 2-inch gauze, and small and large gauze pads
• Washing agents for wounds
• Scissors
• Adhesive tape to apply bandages
• Cotton swabs to apply medications and ointments
• Ace bandage
• Ice pack for sprains and strains
• Sunscreen to prevent overexposure to sunlight
• Calamine lotion and cotton balls to relieve pain and itching from sunburn and bites
• Children’s and adult pain and fever medicine
• Syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal - to be used only if advised by the Poison Control Center
• Insect repellent to protect against bites when going outdoors (especially at dusk)
• ”Sting ease” to relieve pain from bee sting
• Tweezers and a bee sting kit to be used if allergic to bees
• Thermometer
• Alcohol
• Vaseline
• Diaper rash ointment and baby wipes

THE BABY-SITTERS’ GUIDE 

• Discipline only with parental permission
• Follow schedule for naps, meals, bedtime
• Clean up after meals and play time
• Do not leave food out of the refrigerator for long periods of time
• Close the safety harness when putting baby into a carriage, infant seat or high chair
• Never leave baby on dressing table, bed, chair
• Always raise the sides of the crib when baby is inside
• Wash hands after diapering and before meals
• Keep baby safe from older siblings
• Never tell unknown callers that you are alone
• Keep personal phone calls short
• Do not go to sleep when children are up
• Be open and honest with parents; report problems and difficulties with children
• Do not repeat what you see in other people’s homes

• Pins and keys are kept away from outlets
• All stairways are free of obstacles
• Children don’t sit on sills or lean against screens
• There is no playing with doors; watch little fingers!
• Tthere is no jumping around on bunk beds
• Sharp knives and scissors are out of reach
• Rakes, branches, brooms, are not left around
• Small toys (e.g. ‘lego’, buttons)are out of a child's reach
• Plastic cleaner’s bags are tied in knots and discarded

• Test foods and bottles to assure proper temperature
• Hold infant during feeding; do not prop bottle
• Be aware of opened can lids
• Do not allow child near any electrical appliance
• Never use appliances if you have wet hands
• Do not microwave baby bottles
• Keep hot liquids away from surface edges
• Beware of child pulling off tablecloth
• Do not allow standing on table or chair
• Strap child in high-chair, never leave unattended
• Cut food into small pieces when feeding
• Don’t give small candies or taffies to young children

BATH TIME

Never leave child alone, even for phone or doorbell Always close the hot water before cold Test water temperature before bathing a child Do not allow child to play with faucets Do not allow child to stand or jump in bathtub Drain bathtub when not in use Keep bathroom floor dry Do not touch blow dryer with wet hands Unplug blow dryer when not in use

• Remove any small items from crib and bed
• Do not use a pillow or large blanket for infants
• Keep crib sides up at all times
• Check infants and children often

• Never leave a toddler in a wading pool unattended
• Empty wadding pool and turn over when not in use
• Do not overload or unbalance carriages
• Keep children in shady area when weather is warm
• Have child drink plenty of liquids in warm weather
• Do not let child walk barefoot; avoid sharp objects
• Keep tools and lawn mower away from children
• Avoid places that have poison ivy
• Do not let child eat any berries or plants
• Do not allow child to tease animals or insects
• Use insect repellent when outdoors if necessary
• Use caution swinging a bat, throwing balls or a frisbee
• Always hold children’s hands when crossing street
• Use streets that have crossing guards or traffic lights
• Don’t cross between parked cars; cross at corner
• Never let a child follow a ball into the street
• Whenever possible, walk on sidewalk, not on road. When walking on road, stay on left side facing traffic
• Never accept rides from strangers
• Never let children walk alone after dark
• Keep key with you at all times
• Use clothes appropriate for weather conditions
• In a lightning storm, run into nearest buildings or car
• Put sunscreen on a child to prevent sunburn
• Don’t allow sunbathing - especially 10 A.M.- 2 P.M.
• Have children wear hats and t-shirts in the sun

• Bike should fit the child’s size; when child is in sitting position, toes should touch the ground
• Child must wear safety helmet
• Child should always keep both hands on bike handles
• Child must walk bike across busy intersections
• When walking or riding a bike, beware of cars backing out or turning into driveways and parking lots
• Watch for car doors opening and parked cars pulling out suddenly
• Watch out for drain grates, broken pavement, ditches and sand
• Only one person at a time should ride the bike
• Older children should obey traffic rules

• Children must be supervised at all times
• Check if equipment is sturdy and in good condition
• Do nut use slippery or loose equipment
• Child must hold equipment with both hands
• A child must remain seated while in motion
• Don’t kneel, stand, walk in front, behind or under equipment in motion
• If child becomes pale or scared, stop the equipment and take him off
• Allow only one person at a time on a swing
• When using seesaw, don’t keep feet under the board
• When getting off, let seesaw down slowly
• Don’t stand or run across seesaw or up the slide
• Climb stairs of slide one at a time
• Make sure slide, and area in front of slide, is clear
• Descend on slide in sitting position with legs in front

• Before entering house, always check to see if it is safe
• Check for broken windows, a ladder or opened front or back doors that might tell you that someone has entered. If so, do not enter house; go to nearest phone and call the parent or police

• Do not overload extension cord or sockets
• Unplug extension cord when not in use
• Keep matches out of child's reach
• Never use gas stove or oven to warm up the house
• Cook only with permission from parent
• Do not wear loose-fitted sleeves when cooking
• A child with long hair must not keep her back to any candles or open fire
• When cooking, turn all pot handles inward on stove
• Avoid burns, by using potholders and making sure they are dry
• Keep off counters and keep away from oven and stove even when turned off
• Do not pour water on a grease fire, use baking soda or fire extinguisher
• Never use spray cans near fires
• Use portable heaters that shut off automatically when hit or turned over; keep portable heaters away from children, clothing, curtains and linen

• Crawl on the floor; heat rises
• Feel the door; if it is not hot, get out quickly
• When leaving, close the door behind you
• If the door is hot, do not open it
• Shut fan or air conditioner
• Put blankets or towels under door to keep smoke out
• Put wet cloth against mouth to help breathing
• Be aware that a window can shatter from heat
• If on first or second floor and can’t exit, climb out of the window
• If higher than second floor, use a fire ladder or fire escape to leave; if not possible, wave something out of the window to draw attention
• First remove all children from house
• Go directly to designated outdoor meeting place
• Notify fire department from a neighbor’s house or a phone booth

NEVER GO BACK INTO A

BURNING BUILDING!

Boruch Rofeh Cholim 1999
Permission is granted to print and redistribute this material for non-commercial purposes as long as credit line is included.