1000 SW Jackson
Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
(785) 296-1223
(785) 296-8645 (FAX)

Coordinator:
Jan Stegelman

Executive Committee:
Randall Bolin
NHTSA Region VII

Dennis Cooley, MD
Medical Advisor
American Academy of
Pediatrics, Kansas
Chapter

John Drees
Douglas County
SAFE KIDS Coalition

Vanda Easley
State Farm Insurance
Companies

Jim Keating
Kansas State
Firefighters Association

Elena Nuss
Kansas State
Fire Marshal's Office

Cindy Samuelson
Kansas Hospital Association

PICKING THE RIGHT BABYSITTER FOR A SAFE HOLIDAY

(Topeka, KS) It's holiday time again and you've probably been invited to New Year's Eve parties, family gatherings, and open houses. If you're a parent of a young child, your plans and reservations aren't secure until a good sitter is, too. Finding the perfect babysitter is difficult and often stressful for most parents. It's important that the sitter you choose will care for your child in a responsible and mature manner. When you're selecting a sitter, Kansas SAFE KIDS encourages parents and caregivers to select someone who also knows how to keep your kids safe from injury.

"Don't be shy when inquiring about a potential sitter's ability to do his or her job. You should feel comfortable in knowing your selection can provide the appropriate care and supervision for your child. He or she should also be able to handle any emergencies that may occur while you're away," said Jan Stegelman, Coordinator of Kansas SAFE KIDS.

Kansas SAFE KIDS recommends a number of proactive steps parents can take to ensure their children are in safe hands.

Interviewing a Sitter

When looking for a babysitter, talk to relatives, friends and neighbors about their personal experiences. Interview several candidates before making your final decision. Here are a few questions to ask:

• 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 babysitter 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 rules and guidelines for taking care of your child?
• Does the sitter understand the importance of constant supervision?

Communicate with Your Sitter

Now that you've found a sitter, don't head out just yet. Make sure you've done the following:

• Childproof your home. Explore your home at your 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 babysitter 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 babysitter where to find emergency telephone numbers. Lists near every phone should include a number where you can be reached as well as for the poison control center, emergency services, your child's 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 the 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. There is no substitute for active, constant supervision.

The above precautions also apply if you're planning to leave your child at your sitter's home, but check the home for childproofing first.

The Sitter's Role

By taking a few precautions, your babysitter can help prevent a serious injury while your child is in his or her care. SAFE KIDS recommends you and your sitter review the following safety checklist designed specifically for babysitters:

• Supervise kids at all times . NEVER leave children unattended - even for a second - especially in the bathroom or kitchen, on playground equipment or near water.
• Prevent fire . Keep all matches, lighters, gasoline and other flammable materials out of children's reach and locked away. If there is a fire, stay calm, get the children out of the home first and call the fire department from a neighbor's home. Do not go back into the home, and make sure children do not try to return.
• Avoid burns by using back burners and turning all pot handles toward the back of the stove. Keep hot foods and liquids away from table and counter edges; do not use tablecloths or placemats. Check the temperature of all microwave-heated foods and liquids, and never let young children use the microwave. Never carry children and hot foods or liquids at the same time.
• Prevent falls. Never leave young children alone on changing tables, beds or other furniture. Keep stairs and other traffic areas clear of toys, and wipe up spills right away. Make sure safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs are securely latched, and keep all windows closed and locked.
• Lock up potential poisons , such as medicines, vitamins, household cleaners and cosmetics, out of children's reach. If you suspect a child has ingested poison, call the national poison control center (1-800-222-1222) or a doctor immediately and follow instructions.
• Beware of choking hazards. Do not give children under age 6 hard or round foods such as nuts, grapes, hot dogs, hard candy or popcorn. Keep small toys, toys with small parts, and balloons away from young children. Check the floor, particularly play areas, for small objects such as buttons, beads, marbles, coins and tacks. Never let children wear clothing with drawstrings, necklaces, scarves or other items around their necks while using playground equipment.
• Prevent drowning. Never leave a child alone in the bathtub - even in a bath ring or similar device. Empty all sinks, tubs, buckets and containers immediately after use. Store buckets and wading pools upside down. Keep toilet lids shut and use toilet locks.
• Keep cribs safe by removing all soft bedding and placing infants on their backs to sleep. Never use adult sheets, only crib sheets that fit snugly. Never hang anything on or above a crib with string or ribbon longer than 7 inches. Never place a crib near a window.

For more information, or to order a copy of SAFE KIDS magazine with more tips on keeping your kids safe, visit www.safekids.org or www.kansassafekids.org

Kansas SAFE KIDS, Inc. is a nonprofit Coalition of 67 statewide organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14. Local coalitions and chapters are located in Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Clay, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Marion, Meade, Montgomery, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Republic, Rice, Saline, Smith, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, and Woodson Counties, as well as Chanute, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Norton, Pittsburg, Wichita and the Metro Kansas City Area. Kansas SAFE KIDS is part of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, the first and only national nonprofit organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury -- the number one killer of children ages 14 and under.