Babysitting Safety Guidelines

Learning First-Aid procedures and learning emergancy phone numbers before you take on babysitting jobs will help prepare you for emergencies and may save a life.

Getting the Job:

Know your employer. Babysit only for people you or your parents know, or those for whom you have a personal reference. Answering newspaper ads may not be safe.  Before accepting the job, get specific instructions about the number and ages of children, bed times, foods, medications, and other information about personal habits and what is expected of you. Get directions to the job location. Be sure to find out from your employers what time they expect to be back. Be sure they know how much you charge and when you must be home.

Preparing for the Job

Leave the name, address, and phone number of where you will be babysitting with your parents, and tell them what time your employers expect to be home. When you accept a job, arrive early to confirm all of this information and to get any additional instructions. Make sure you have transportation both to and from the job.