1000 SW Jackson Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
(785) 296-1223
(785) 296-8649 (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

John Halbran
Kansas Safety Belt
Education Office

Jim Keating
Kansas State
Firefighters Association

Elena Nuss
Kansas State
Fire Marshal's Office

Cindy Samuelson
Kansas Hospital Association

DOL Counts 1.3 Million Babysitting Jobs

Safe Kids Kansas offers safety tips for parents hiring sitters

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, approximately 1.3 million families retained paid childcare workers in 2004, including professional providers in day care settings and live-in nannies, but also self-employed, part-time babysitters. Parents who have taken safety precautions around the home need to make sure their babysitters are familiar with these measures.

"If you've installed smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, practiced your fire escape plans, stocked a first aid kit and put safety latches on cabinets and toilets, that's great, but these precautions can all go to waste if you forget to mention them to your babysitter," says Jan Stegelman, Safe Kids Kansas coordinator.

"Even after you find the right babysitter - a reliable, experienced sitter with references, at least 13 years old, preferably trained in first aid and CPR - you need to provide a safety tour of your home," says Stegelman.

Take the time to:

• Show your babysitter where to find the phones, first aid supplies and flashlights. Post emergency numbers by every phone (don't forget poison control, 800-222-1222), along with your cell phone number and itinerary.
• Go over your fire escape plan and backup plan. Make sure the sitter knows what to do if the smoke alarm or CO detector goes off (get everyone out, meet at a predetermined spot and don't let anyone go back in).
• Tell your sitter what areas or activities are off limits. If your children will be playing in or near a pool or playground equipment, taking a bath, cooking or doing anything else that requires active supervision, discuss your expectations; make sure the sitter understands that active supervision means keeping the child in sight and in reach at all times under undivided attention.
• Instruct your sitter to never leave your child alone, even for a second. There is no substitute for constant supervision.
• Review and discuss safety guidelines about childproofing, swimming, fire, falls and playground equipment. Make sure your babysitter knows what to do in an emergency.

For more information about childcare safety and childproofing your home, visit www.usa.safekids.org.

Safe Kids Kansas, Inc. is a nonprofit Coalition of 67 statewide organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing accidental injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14. Local coalitions and chapters are located in Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Clay, Coffey, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ellis, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Marion, Meade, Mitchell, Montgomery, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Republic, Rice, Riley, Saline, Smith, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Wilson and Woodson Counties, as well as the cities of Chanute, Emporia, Leavenworth, Norton, Pittsburg, the Wichita Area and the Metro Kansas City Area. Safe Kids Kansas is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury.

www.kansassafekids.org