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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.
· 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.
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.
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.
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.
Use Microwaves Safely
Never put anything into a microwave unless you are absolutely sure
it is safe. Paper, glass, and microwave proof 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.
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.
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.
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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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