Babysitting is an exciting and rewarding job, yet one that requires considerable accountability. If you plan on taking up this job, you should know that a good babysitter should enjoy caring for the kids and be equipped to deal with unpredictable situations on the job. Safety is one of the most critical aspects to ensure on the job. This will reduce the risk of accidents and prevent any danger to the baby.

Key safety tips
Whether babysitting is your primary profession or a part-time job, it is vital to ensure that you take appropriate safety and preventive measures to ensure the well-being of the children in your care. To make this easier, here are a few key safety tips for babysitting that you should consider:

Never leave the child alone
The first rule of babysitting is never to let the child out of your sight, as there might be countless items at home and outdoors that can be potential threats. For instance, prescriptions around the home can be a risk for the child if they find them and pop one accidentally. Similarly, direct exposure to electric outlets or household appliances can be physically harmful to the kid in your care.

Maintain key contact information
Parents or caregivers usually provide their contact information before leaving. However, you should make sure to get additional contact numbers. It will not only show them you are responsible but also help you ensure you know what to do in an emergency. Here is some key information to seek:

• The address or name of the place where the parents or caregivers would be
• Contact details of parents
• Name and contact details of the family doctor or the pediatrician
• Poison control number
• Other emergency contact numbers if the parents can’t be reached

Keep the doors and windows locked
As soon as the parents leave the child in your care, lock all the doors and windows in the house. This will keep strangers or intruders out, ensuring that you and the child are safe. Additionally, locking the doors and windows will prevent the toddlers from running outside when they get the chance. Further, never answer or open the door to talk to strangers. Always tell them to call on the phone or speak to a visitor behind a closed door, informing them that you are here to babysit, if required. If you get calls, you can check the caller ID and let unfamiliar contacts leave messages on the voicemail.

Learn about the child’s allergies and health concerns
Knowing the child’s health history, including their allergies or any illnesses, is an important safety tip for babysitting. For instance, if the child is dealing with a condition, you should look up health risks and keep track of their prescriptions while babysitting.

Avoid using phones
It is normal to spend most of your time on mobile phones. However, it is not advisable to use a phone or other electronic devices that will distract you from keeping an eye on the child. While you are focusing on the screen or texting people, the child might leave the room or have an accident. So, you can play, watch movies, engage in a craft, or read books with the child. So, keep your phone away, at least until the kid is ready for bed.

Look up emergency safety procedures
Although you intend to pay unwavering attention to the children as a responsible babysitter, you should be prepared to experience unpredictable situations which can call for immediate attention or assistance. Common emergencies like children in your care injuring themselves or fire accidents, choking, fever, poisoning cuts, heat illness, and unconsciousness might arise.
When you encounter such situations, call 911 and inform the parents or guardians at once. However, you should also know how to provide first aid to react quickly to the situation before the professionals or parents arrive.

Children’s well-being is the only thing that matters to their parents. So, being well-prepared will put you and the caregivers at ease. While babysitting comes with a huge responsibility, it can be a smooth and rewarding experience if you are careful. It is also important to handle the responsibility with kindness and a genuine interest in spending time with children.