17 Things You Should Always Know as a Babysitter

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For many parents, leaving their children with a babysitter for the first time can be a nerve-wracking experience. But while such concerns are valid, cases like these represent only a small fraction of babysitter problems. The more common danger, according to experts, is unintentional injury due to a lack of information about the kinds of problems that can arise and what to do in case of an emergency.

Sitter Safety 101
Although no one can care for a child the way a parent does, there are steps you can take to ensure safety while the parents are away from home. To help make you a better babysitting candidate, the University of Michigan Health System recommends that you take the American Red Cross Babysitter Class.

Babysitter Guidelines

Here, the 17 things you should always know from parents:

• Both parent's full names.
• Contact information where they can be reached, as well as their cell phone number.
• The child(ren)'s full name, age, date of birth, height, weight, hair color, and eye color (in case the sitter and child get separated).
• The phone number and address of the house where you will watch the child(ren), as well as directions to it.
• The name and phone number of the family doctor or pediatrician.
• Emergency-services numbers and the poison-control hotline number.
• Location of all the exits in the house.
• Location of first-aid supplies, as well as the fire extinguisher, fuse box, and flashlights.
• Contact information for neighbors, friends, and family.
• Special medical information, especially regarding food and drug allergies.
• The time at which you can expect the parent(s) to be home.
• The child's bedtime and bedtime routine (if the child is a baby, be sure to place the child on his or her back to sleep, not on the side or stomach).
• Any foods or drinks that should, or should not, be given to the child.
• Any medications that should, or should not, be given to the child.
• How your the should be handled if he or she misbehaves.
• How to calm the child if he or she is upset (if your the is a baby, be sure to never to shake the child under any circumstances).
• Other special instructions regarding the child, family pets, etc.

More Sitter Do's and Don'ts
In addition, the American Red Cross recommends communicating the following do's and don'ts to ensure a smooth babysitter experience:

• Do learn first aid and CPR.
• Do keep the doors locked, even while you're outside.
• Do call 911 if someone suspicious comes to the door.
• Do be on the lookout for potentially dangerous items around the home.
• Do keep matches, lighters, and candles away from the child at all times.
• Do turn on outside lights in the evening.
• Do be familiar with basic food safety, including choking and food-poisoning safety guidelines.
• Don't leave the house with the child unless you have permission.
• Don't talk for long periods on the phone.
• Don't open the door to strangers, including delivery people.
• Don't ever tell a stranger, even on the phone, that you are the babysitter.
• Don't stay anywhere you feel unsafe, smell smoke, or hear a fire or smoke alarm.
• Don't go outside to check on something strange, such as an unusual noise.
• Don't ever leave the child alone in the bathtub, not even for a second.