Red Cross Tips for
Safe Babysitting Experience
 

The first steps to becoming a safe and successful babysitter is to know your family’s expectations. Before starting out as a babysitter ask your parents these questions:

·   When am I allowed to babysit?

·   How often can I babysit?

·   For whom can I babysit?

·   How many children may I babysit at one time?

·   What are your rules and expectations for me
as a babysitter?

Market Safely…

·   The best business comes through word of mouth. Parents would rather hire a babysitter they know, but the next best thing would be to hire a babysitter recommended by someone they trust.
 

·   One of the best ways to get a babysitting job is

by networking. Ask parents to ask their friends,

relatives, and close neighbors if they need a

babysitter or if they know someone else who does.
 

·   You can create simple business cards to provide

your contact information. Only give your business

cards to people you and your family know and

trust. It is unsafe to allow total strangers to get

your contact information.

·   DO NOT POST YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND/OR

PHONE NUMBER ON THE INTERNET.

·   DO NOT PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARDS OR ANY

FLIERS IN COFFEE SHOPS, SUPERMARKETS, OR

OTHER PUBLIC PLACES.

·   Discuss each job with your parents or guardians before you say, "Yes." If networking results in job offers from families you do not already know, be sure to talk with your parents. It is an important decision that your parents should help you make.

·   Get to know the parents or guardians of the children you will babysit.

·   Only take jobs you know you can handle.

Before Taking a Babysitting Job, ALWAYS…

·   Tell your parents or guardians where you’ll be, how to contact you, and when to expect
you home. Know how you’ll get to the job and back home safely. What hours you’ll be expected to babysit. Remind your parents that you will call before you leave the job so they will know what time to expect you home. Let them know if the job is running late.

·   Agree on a code word to use in a phone call home if you feel unsafe or threatened. For example, if a family member has offered to drive you home but you suspect he or she may have been drinking, call your parents and use the code word so they would know to come pick you up.

·   Complete the Family Interview Form and a Family Information Card.

While on the Job, NEVER…

·   Do not open the door to anyone before checking to see who it is.

·   Do not open the door to strangers, including delivery people.

·   Do not let anyone inside who is using alcohol or drugs, even if you know them.

·   Do not tell a stranger on the phone that you are the babysitter.

·   Do not stay anywhere you feel unsafe, smell smoke or hear a fire or smoke alarm.

·   Do not go outside to check on something strange, such as an unusual noise.

 For more information, contact the American Red Cross Mount Rainier Chapter:

(253) 474-0400 Pierce County / (360) 352-8575 Thurston-Mason Counties

(360) 748-4607 Lewis County / (360) 241-2341 Grays Harbor Counties