Having someone else watch your children for you can be risky business. This is even the case for simply hiring a babysitter. However, you can avert some of the risk by taking the proper precautions. Below are five things you need to make sure your babysitter knows.
1. How to Contact You
First, the baby sitter is going to need to know how to contact you in the event of an emergency. Make sure she or he knows you and your partner’s cell phone and pager numbers. If you’re visiting a hotel, the sitter should also be given the number for the front desk as well. E-mail addresses or social media links should also be given.
2. Your Children’s Health Information
Your babysitter should know your children’s important health information. This includes knowing what the children are allergic to. It includes knowing when and how to give them their medication. It requires telling the babysitter what to do in the event of a health emergency such as an asthma attack, seizure or diabetic attack. It includes contact information for your children’s doctors. Lastly, your baby sitter should know the location of your first aid kit.
3. Your Home’s Fire Escape Plan
Your baby sitter should be aware of your home’s fire escape plan. This includes knowing where the nearest exits to the house are, what to do if she or he sees smoke and how to quickly alert the fire department. It may even include teaching that babysitter how to deploy emergency escape ladders from your children’s bedroom windows.
4. Emergency Numbers
Your babysitter should know all emergency numbers that could possibly be used. This should include more than simply 911. It should also include the phone numbers of the poison control center, the fire department, the police, trusted family members and more. The phone numbers of nearby emergency medical centers should also be given. For example, if you live near Los Angeles, you should give your babysitter the number of Urgent Care South Gate.
5. Your Children’s Daily Routine
To properly babysit your children, that babysitter will need to know your children's daily routine. This should include things like meal times, nap times and bed times. It should also include the TV shows your children are allowed to watch and what games they are allowed to play. Over all, there shouldn’t be too much contrast between what your children do when you’re home and what they do while you’re away.