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Babysitting Safety

By Todd A. Smith & Shoshana T. Bookson



Venturing out to the movies for the first time without the kids can be an especially difficult decision for any new parents.



With horrible stories constantly being featured on the news about babysitters abusing children, the question of "Who will watch the kids?" can be scary. For many parents, the only alternative is to rely upon grandparents who may live nearby. In fact, according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, 9 out of 10 grandparents (or 42 million) care for their grandchildren during the course of the year.



Families who don't have access to this familial resource are left with no other alternative than to search for a reliable babysitter for the first time.



Most parents fear that, while they are away from home, their children may be harmed in an accident. Unintentional injury remains the leading cause of death among children ages 14 and under in the U.S. However, there are some steps that can be taken to alleviate babysitter fears by being choosy about who we hire to look after our children.



One safety website, the National SAFE KIDS Campaign offers a number of useful suggestions for hiring the right sitter:



· Talk to relatives, friends and neighbors about their personal experiences and to get referrals and recommendations.

· Interview several candidates before making your final decision.



SAFE KIDS also suggests several important questions to ask during the interview:



· How old is the sitter? Is he or she at least 13 years of age?

· Is the sitter responsible and trustworthy?

· What kind of experience does the sitter have? Can he or she provide references?

· Has the sitter taken a baby sitter training course?

· Is the sitter certified in infant and child CPR?

· Does the sitter know what to do in an emergency?

· Is the sitter willing to accept your guidelines for taking care of your child?

· Does the sitter understand the importance of constant supervision?



Once you choose your sitter, it's time to arm him or her with information and outline expectations and rules, such as bed time and television watching. Some babysitters are well prepared and may have even taken a babysitter training course. Nonetheless, here are a few things to keep in mind and to cover with your babysitter:



· Childproof your home. Explore your home at a child's level (on hands and knees, for example) to look for hazards. Detailed childproofing guidelines can be found on the National SAFE KIDS Campaign Web site at www.safekids.org.

· Give the baby sitter a tour of your home. Inform your sitter of the safety precautions you've taken; point out baby gates, child resistant locks, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, electrical outlet covers, toilet locks, etc. Show the sitter where phones, first aid supplies, fire extinguishers, flashlights and extra blankets are located. Make sure your sitter knows your planned fire escape routes.

· Show the baby sitter where to find emergency telephone numbers. Lists near every phone should include a number where you can be reached, as well as numbers for the fire and police departments, poison control center, ambulance, hospital or emergency services, your doctor, a neighbor and a relative.

· Make sure the sitter knows which rooms are off limits to your children -- especially infants and toddlers. For example, your child should not be allowed to play in the kitchen or the bathroom because too many hazards exist in those rooms.

· Provide clear written instructions about appropriate dosage and schedule for any medications the sitter might have to give your child. Go over these instructions with your sitter before you leave.

· Leave instructions regarding protective gear. If your child is allowed to ride a bike, skateboard, scooter or inline skates while you're away, make sure the sitter knows where to find your child's helmet, knee and elbow pads and other protective gear. The sitter should also insist your child wear them.

· Instruct your sitter never to leave your child alone -- even for a second.



When you return home, talk to the sitter about the afternoon or evening to find out if there were any difficulties. Likewise, check with your kids to find out what they did. Ask if they had a fun time and whether they felt safe or afraid.



For more information about the National SAFEKIDS campaign, go to www.safekids.org.



Todd A. Smith president of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, is a partner in the Chicago, IL, law firm of Power Rogers & Smith.



Shoshana T. Bookson, president of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, is a partner in the New York firm of Shandell, Blitz, Blitz & Bookson, LLP.