BABYSITTERS’ ALERT

How to Keep the Children You Watch Safe 

Plane Ahead for Safety

  ·                      Close bedroom doors. A closed bedroom door will help stop the smoke from spreading and may give you and the children extra time to escape. Closing the bedroom door also means you’ll have to listen extra carefully for the children.

  ·                      Put away matches. Move matches, lighters or any other smoking materials out of reach of small children

  ·                      Give space heaters space. Keep space heaters at least 36 inches away from a wall or piece of furniture. And keep children and pets away from space heaters.

  ·                      Be kitchen wise. Cook only with permission from the children’s parents, and onlu if you can do so safely. And set a timer to remind you to turn everything off.

  ·                      Turn pot handles in. whenever you cook, turn pot handles in so they don’t extend over the edge of the stove. This helps prevent dangerous spills of hot food and liquid. Be sure baby bottles and food for small children is not too hot.

  ·                      Microwave No No’s. Make sure you know what can and cnnot go into a microwave. Yes to paper, glass, microwave-proof earthenware. No to metals and aluminum foil.

  ·                      Learn Not to Burn®. To be a responsible babysitter, it’s important to Learn Not to Burn. Remember, fire safety os an important part of the babysitter’s job. And now you know what to do.

Plane Your Escape

  ·                      Know two ways out. Walk though the house or apartment and find two ways out of every room in case one way is blocked.

  ·                      Get out! Stay out!

  ·                      Go to the meeting place. Have a pre-arranged place outside. Away from the dwelling, to meet. Take head count, then call the Fire Department and tell them if anyone is left inside.

  ·                      Call the Fire Department from a neighbor’s. Give the complete name and address and stay on the phone until told you can hang up.

  ·                      Do not go back for any reason. Watch the children carefully and keep them a safe distance from the dwelling and away from firefighters.

  ·                      If you can’t get to the children. If you can, without putting yourself in danger, get the children out right away. If it seems too dangerous, go straight to a neighbor’s and call the Fire Department, telling them the children are inside and that the way is blocked by smoke and/or fire.

 In Case of Fire

  ·                      Cool a burn. The best first aid is cool water which helps stop more skin damage and makes the burn hurt less. Get help quickly if it looks serious.

·                      Stop, Drop, and Roll. This is how to smother a clothing fire. Stop whatever you’re doing. Drop to the floor. And cover your face with your hands. Roll over and over until the fire goes out.

·                      Crawl low in smoke. Smoke rises while air stays low near the floor. So get down on your knees and crawl to an exit, instructing the children to follow you.

Important Things to Write Down

  ·                      Where the parents are going

  ·                      The complete address of where you are

  ·                      Names and ages of children, along with any allergies to food or medicine they may have.

 Important Numbers

  ·                      Fire Department/Emergency Medical Service (9-1-1).

·                      Where parents can be reached

·                      Neighbors telephone number.