Tips for Having a Safe Babysitting Experience
Market Yourself SAFELY...
- Advertise your interest in babysitting by talking to adults who have young children at your school, youth group, community center or house of worship. Ask friends who already baby-sit to refer jobs when they are unable to baby-sit. You can create simple business cards to provide your contact information.
(Business Card Template A; Business Card Template B) - Get to know the parents or guardians of the children you will baby-sit.
- Discuss each job with your parents or guardians before you say "yes."
- Take jobs you know you can handle.
Before Taking a Job, ALWAYS...
- Know how you’ll get to the job and back home safely.
- Know what hours you’ll be expected to baby-sit.
- Tell your parents or guardians—
- Where you’ll be.
- How to contact you.
- When to expect you home.
Complete the Family Interview Form and a Family Information Card.
While on the Job, NEVER...
- Open the door to anyone before checking to see who it is.
- Open the door to strangers, including delivery people.
- Let anyone inside who is using alcohol or drugs, even if you know them.
- Tell a stranger on the phone that you are the babysitter.
- Stay anywhere you feel unsafe, smell smoke or hear a fire or smoke alarm.
- Go outside to check on something strange, such as an unusual noise.
When the parents or guardians get home, provide them with a Babysitter's Report Record.
