Know the address of where you are
baby-sitting. Know where the nearest intersection is so that you can give directions
to emergency workers if necessary.
- Be sure you know the emergency number to call from
the home you're working at because it may not be the same as the one you'd call from your
own home.
- Ask for a phone number to reach the parent(s).
If they are not reachable, ask them to give the name and phone number of someone
else to contact, or contact your own parents.
- Tell the emergency dispatcher the age of the child,
how he or she was hurt, what the victim's condition is, and where he or she is right now.
- Tell Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel when
and what the child last ate.
- Remember that EMS call takers are specially trained
to aid you. Answer their questions.
- Attend classes for baby-sitters if they are offered
in your community; learn how to handle life threatening situations, such as stopping
bleeding, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and responding to poisoning.
- Remember that watching the children-not talking on
the phone or watching television-is your first priority.
- Find out if the children under your care have any
special medical problems. NEVER give medicine to them unless the parent(s) has
instructed you about what and how much to give.
- Stay in the house unless you have permission to take
the children outside. Never leave the house without the children.
- Remember to pull the crib rail all the way up when
putting a baby to bed.
- Be careful when bathing kids. A slippery tub
can be dangerous.
- Know where a flashlight and batteries are, or better
yet, take a flashlight with you.
- Keep matches, lighters, fireworks, medicines,
household chemicals, knives and other sharp objects out of the reach of small children.
- Don't use cigarettes, lighters, the fireplace,
candles, drugs, alcohol, or fireworks.
- Call the parents, or your parents, if for any reason
you become afraid.
- Don't waste precious time trying to put out a fire,
even if you are afraid you might be blamed for it. Take the child and get out of the
house, then call for help from a neighbor's.
- Don't leave food unattended. If you must
prepare meals, keep them simple. Don't let the children cook, they can help but they
shouldn't use knives or appliances.
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