LIFE

Stranger Danger

So you’re playing with the kiddos in the backyard and a stranger walks over and tries to talk to you and the kids. As quickly and politely as you can, get you and the kids inside the house and lock the doors. (Try telling them that you’re cooking dinner or that it’s nap time.) Call the parents and ask if they know the person and tell them what happened. If you can't reach the parents, try calling a neighbor. If the stranger sticks around, do not hesitate to call the police. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Poison Control

You turn your back for one second to stir the mac and cheese for lunch and when you turn around you see little Susie drinking out of a cleaning supplies. Immediately take the bottle away and call poison control. (1-800-222-1222) Even if she only got a sip, any chemical can be super harmful. Try your best not to freak out. If the kids see you getting super worried, then they are more likely to freak out and get scared as well. Once poison control tells you how to handle the situation, make sure to follow their orders exactly and then call the parents and let them know what happened.

Accident Prone

Johnny loves to climb on the table, and one day he fell and hit his head. This can be a super scary situation, especially if there is blood involved. If the child falls on their back or head, do not move them. Moving them may cause more damage and injuries. Call 9-1-1 immediately and follow their instructions. You may feel the need to call the parents first, but calling 9-1-1 is the most important thing to do. Remember to stay calm and keep the child awake and alert.

Fight Club

Babysitting can get tricky when you have two or more kiddos to watch over, especially when a fight breaks outs. It’s one thing if there is a screaming match, but once kids get physical it’s time to separate them. Fighting is never okay and you need to make sure the kids know that they won’t get away with it. The best idea is to put them in separate rooms and talk to them individually about what they did. The next step is to talk to the parents when they get home about what the usual protocol is when it comes to fighting.

In the Dark

There is huge storm happening outside and the lights just went out. The kids are scared and are looking to you for comfort. This situation can get a little scary but there is an easy fix! Locate candles and flashlights and lighten up the house, choose one room to stay in and make up fun games to play like shadow puppets. Keep calm and go with your instincts.

One more thing…

It is always a good idea to stay up to date on your CPR/First Aid certification so if there is ever an incident while babysitting, you know the best way to handle the situation. The Red Cross Association hosts many classes where you can learn CPR as well.

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by Caitlin Moynihan | 2/1/2016