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. This article will help you make your escape plan.
• 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: (In most cases, you will dial 911 for fire, ambulance and/or police)
Fire:______________________________
Police:____________________________
Poison Control phone #:____________________
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:________________________
• Poison Control for your area can be found by using this search utility.
You may also want to make a contact form using this utility to place next to each phone in your home.
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.
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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