Kid to Kid Cares about Product Safety

How to find a Super Sitter

In addition to "sitting" with the children, there are a few things you should let the sitter know.

• Before you leave, give the names and phone numbers suggested in the Super Sitter's Very Important Phone Numbers List (provided in the link below).
• Show your sitter through the house or apartment and point out where the items they need are located, such as the children's clothing or playthings. 
• Inform them of where the emergency exits are. In case of a fire, tell them not to put it out! Get the children out of the house without stopping to phone. Go to a neighbor. Call the fire department, and then call you to let them know where the children are. 
• Keep the youngsters safe by preventing accidents. Let them know where the potential hazards are, such as electrical outlets, appliances, and exposed heating elements. Also let them know if all medicine, bleaches and household cleaners are securely locked up. 
• If there is a gate across the stairway, make sure it is kept latched. If a gate is not provided, place a barrier of some kind in front of the stairway that a child cannot climb over. Accordion-style gates with large V-shaped or diamond-shaped openings should not be used since they can entrap a child's head, causing strangulation. A gate with a straight top or small V's and diamond-shaped openings is safer. Make sure pressure gates are firmly in place and can't be dislodged by the child. 
• A clean facecloth in lukewarm water will suffice in most cases for cleaning the child. Bathing a baby calls for utmost care and supervision; aside from the risk of hot water scalds, there is always the danger of drowning.  It is best to advise them not to bathe your child.
• Plan on having everything within immediate reach on the changing table (diapers, wipes, lotions, etc.) so your sitter won't have to step away from the infant even for a second. Babies can roll over and fall from changing tables or other high places. 
• A "super sitter" will look for hazards before they surface. Loose, baggy clothing can be dangerous if it gets caught on furniture, cribs, playpens, etc., as children climb, play or scamper about the room. Clothing can also be a problem if it becomes tightly wound around the baby. Be on the alert for hazards such as these, and adjust the clothing so that it cannot become tangled. 
• Advise sitter to NEVER open the door to strangers. If there is a question about someone at the door, tell them to call you. 
• In case of accident or illness, have the sitter call you immediately. If you cannot be reached advise them call a neighbor. 

Click Here for the full Super Sitter article.