BABYSITTERS' GUIDE
As a babysitter, you have a
great responsibility - you are responsible for the
safety of the children you sit with and for the property of your
employer. To help discharge this responsibility, we offer the following
suggestions:
Prevention Before Fire Starts:
-
When you arrive at your employer's
residence, ask for the following information...
-
Know that 9-1-1 is your emergency
number for the Fire Department, Sheriff's Department and EMS
-
Poison Control Centre Phone Number
-
The Full Address of the Residence
-
A Phone number where your
employer/parents can be reached
-
Ask for a walk around the house...
-
Familiarize yourself with the house that
you are minding in... (how door locks work etc)...
-
Ask if they have a fire escape plan ... Do
the children know it? ... Have they practiced the plan? ... Where is the
meeting place? ... (see Home Escape Plan)
-
Where are the exits from the house?
(know at least two ways out)..
-
Find out where the smoke alarm is. Check to
see that it is operational. Ask if the children know what it sounds like..
-
After the parents leave, walk around with
the children. Check the Kitchen, to ensure that the stove is turned off
etc... Check the Living Room, to ensure that there are no lit cigarettes
left behind etc... Check the Bedrooms to be sure that nothing unsafe was
forgotten...
-
Bring your babysitting kit with you ...
(Smoke alarm, flash light, night light, babysitter's pamphlet ).
What to do if a Fire Occurs!
-
Your first responsibility in case of a fire
is to get the children out. Never place yourself or others in jeopardy by
attempting to extinguish a fire. Once the children are in a safe place,
dial 9-1-1. Once you are out do not re-enter the building!
Do not waste time getting the children dressed, wrap them up in a
blanket.
-
If you smell or see smoke, or hear the
smoke alarm, sound a warning. SHOUT FIRE!
-
Stay close to the floor, where there is
fresh air.
-
Close all doors behind you. Call
the Fire Department from a safe place. Never go back into a burning
building.
-
If you smell gas, get out, do not turn off
any lights or electrical appliances. Call the Fire Department from a
place of safety.
-
If your clothing or the clothing of the
children should catch on fire, smother the flames with a towel, blanket or
other thick material, OR stop, drop and roll, to smother
the fire.
