BABYSITTERS
Plan
Ahead for Safety
PLANNING AND
PREVENTION are the keys to fire safety. Protect yourself and the children you're watching
against fire by taking simple precautions.
Plan Your Escape
Every household should have an escape plan. When you babysit, discuss what to do in
case of a fire with the adults in the household.
Every household should have an escape plan. When you babysit, discuss what to do in
case of a fire with the adults in the household. Every household should have an escape plan. When you
babysit, discuss what to do in
case of a fire with the adults in the household.
· Be familiar with their home.
Learn all the exits, and know how to unlock doors and windows. Know two ways out of each
room, especially bedrooms.
· All households should have a
meeting place outside where everyone gathers after escaping a fire. Have the adults show
you the meeting place, and don't confuse children by changing the plan.
· Discuss the escape plan and
meeting place with the children. Make sure every child knows where to meet outside.
· With an adult, complete a list
of "Emergency Information" including the following information:
Fire:__________________________________
Police:_________________________________
Poison Control:__________________________
Doctor (name and phone #):_______________
Where Parents Can Be Reached:___________
Children's Family Name:___________________
Full Address Where You Are Babysitting:_____
Town:_________________________________
Phone:________________________________
Neighbor (name, address, phone #):_________
Other Instructions:_______________________
Carry it in your pocket. Be sure
you know the location of a neighbor who will be home. In case of a fire, call the fire
department from a neighbor's phone, portable phone, or alarm box.
Put Away Matches and Lighters
Never smoke while babysitting. If you find matches, lighters, or other smoking-related
materials, put them up high (preferably in a locked cabinet) where children can't see or
reach them.
Never smoke while babysitting. If you find matches, lighters, or other smoking-related
materials, put them up high (preferably in a locked cabinet) where children can't see or
reach them.
Never smoke while babysitting. If you find matches, lighters, or other smoking-related
materials, put them up high (preferably in a locked cabinet) where children can't see or
reach them.
Be Kitchen Wise
Cook only if you have permission from the adults in the household. Never leave cooking
food unattended. Set a timer to remind you to turn everything off.
Cook only if you have permission from the adults in the household. Never leave cooking
food unattended. Set a timer to remind you to turn everything off. Cook only if you have permission from the adults in the household. Never leave cooking
food unattended. Set a timer to remind you to turn everything off.
Give Space Heaters Space
Keep anything that can burn - such as books, paper, and clothing - at least 3 feet (1
meter) away from space heaters. And keep children away from portable heaters and space
heaters, too.
Keep anything that can burn - such as books, paper, and clothing - at least 3 feet (1
meter) away from space heaters. And keep children away from portable heaters and space
heaters, too.
Keep anything that can burn - such as books, paper, and clothing - at least 3 feet (1
meter) away from space heaters. And keep children away from portable heaters and space
heaters, too.
Turn Pot Handles In
Don't let pot handles stick out over the edge of the stove where children can bump or
grab them. Turn handles in, pointing toward the center of the stove, to prevent spilling
hot liquids or food.
Don't let pot handles stick out over the edge of the stove where children can bump or
grab them. Turn handles in, pointing toward the center of the stove, to prevent spilling
hot liquids or food.
Don't let pot handles stick out over the edge of the stove where children can bump or
grab them. Turn handles in, pointing toward the center of the stove, to prevent spilling
hot liquids or food.
Use Microwaves Safely
Never put anything into a microwave unless you are absolutely sure it is safe. Paper,
glass, and microwaveproof earthenware are safe. In many cases, metals are not. Read and
follow the instructions on all packaged microwavable meals. Do not exceed recommended
cooking times. If you are not sure of how to use the microwave, do not use it.
Never put anything into a microwave unless you are absolutely sure it is safe. Paper,
glass, and microwaveproof earthenware are safe. In many cases, metals are not. Read and
follow the instructions on all packaged microwavable meals. Do not exceed recommended
cooking times. If you are not sure of how to use the microwave, do not use it.
Never put anything into a microwave unless you are absolutely sure it is safe. Paper,
glass, and microwaveproof earthenware are safe. In many cases, metals are not. Read and
follow the instructions on all packaged microwavable meals. Do not exceed recommended
cooking times. If you are not sure of how to use the microwave, do not use it.
Keep children away from the
microwave. Be careful when removing covers from microwavable containers; escaping steam
can cause severe burns. Cool all foods sufficiently before serving them to children.
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Never Leave Children Unattended
Supervise children when they are awake, and check on them often after they've gone to
bed, until you are sure they are sound asleep. Even then, make sure you can hear them when
they wake up.
Supervise children when they are awake, and check on them often after they've gone to
bed, until you are sure they are sound asleep. Even then, make sure you can hear them when
they wake up.
Supervise children when they are awake, and check on them often after they've gone to
bed, until you are sure they are sound asleep. Even then, make sure you can hear them when
they wake up.
In Case of Fire
Crawl Low Under Smoke
If you encounter smoke while you are escaping a fire, use another exit route. If you
must escape through smoke, remember that heat and smoke rise, so cleaner air is always
near the floor. Crawl on your hands and knees, keeping your head 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60
centimeters) above the floor. Go first, making sure the children follow you.
If you encounter smoke while you are escaping a fire, use another exit route. If you
must escape through smoke, remember that heat and smoke rise, so cleaner air is always
near the floor. Crawl on your hands and knees, keeping your head 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60
centimeters) above the floor. Go first, making sure the children follow you.
If you encounter smoke while you are escaping a fire, use another exit route. If you
must escape through smoke, remember that heat and smoke rise, so cleaner air is always
near the floor. Crawl on your hands and knees, keeping your head 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60
centimeters) above the floor. Go first, making sure the children follow you.
Get Out! Stay Out!
If you smell smoke,
hear a smoke alarm, or see flames, get everybody out. Don't wait for any
reason. Go directly to your meeting place, and count heads to make sure
everyone has escaped.
Call the Fire
Department. Take
the children to a neighbor's home, and call the fire department from
there. Give the fire department the complete address of the fire, and
stay on the phone until you're told to hang up. Then call the children's
parents
Don't Go Back.
Watch children carefully while you're waiting for the fire department.
Make sure no one goes back inside for any reason. Keep everyone a safe
distance from the fire and out of the way of the firefighters.
If You Can't Get to the
Children.
If smoke
or flames are blocking the way to the children's bedrooms, go straight
to a neighbor and call the fire department. Tell them that the children
are trapped inside and where they are.
Emergency Tips
Stop, Drop, and Roll.
If
your clothing catches fire: STOP, don't run. DROP to the ground, and
cover your face with your hands. ROLL over and over until the fire goes
out. Babysitters may have to help children do this. Pull the child to
the ground, and roll him or her over and over to smother the flames.
Cool a Burn
The best
first aid for burns is to run cool water over the burned area for 10 to
15 minutes. If a burn blisters or appears charred, get medical help
immediately.
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