Thursday 19 February 2015

How to keep your kids and home safe when hiring a babysitter

Are you a parent? If so, then you’re probably going to require a babysitter once in a while. Whether it’s simply someone to watch over your kids after school or perhaps you just want a night off, the top priority is keeping your kids safe at all times. Follow these easy steps to ensure your kids are always in good hands…


Get recommendations from friend and family
There are plenty of qualified babysitters that advertise their services, but it’s always best to find a babysitter through someone that you know and trust. It will give you peace of mind and verification that this person is good at watching over children. Next time you need a reliable babysitter, ask your friends and family first.

Make sure they’re old enough
A babysitter should be mature and responsible enough to keep your children out of trouble and handle any problems that may come up. In general, I would say that your babysitter should be at least sixteen years old, if you have several children who need to be watched then it may be a good idea to get a babysitter who is a bit older than that.

Set up an interview
Always make sure to meet your future babysitter in person before you let them look after your kids. Aside from asking basic questions about their qualifications and experience, pay attention to their general nature and observe how they interact with your children. A good babysitter should be authoritative when necessary, but also very calm. The last thing you want in a babysitter is someone who always loses their temper.

Run the security cameras
Even if you trust your babysitter, it won’t hurt to have some extra assurance. Most of the security cameras that come with many alarm systems provide you with a way to review the footage. In some cases parents have caught babysitters stealing and abusing children. Get a reliable and professional security system installed from SIS – Security & Investigation Services.

Verify that they know basic first aid
Children sometimes suffer injuries around the house and in the yard, usually from falling down stairs, crashing a bike or even choking on small objects. A babysitter who is familiar with first aid is a definite must!

Familiarize them with your home security strategy
When you are gone, the babysitter is in charge of the house, so it’s important that they know your home security strategy. Ensure that they know how your alarm system works, where the motion lights are located and how to contact emergency personnel. The services from SIS – Security & Investigation Services would be a perfect choice.

Check in periodically
You may have found a trustworthy, responsible babysitter, but it’s still always a good idea to check in on things at the house. Call or SMS the babysitter whenever you need to check up, if you don’t get a reply, call a trusted neighbour or friend and get them to see if everything is alright.

You can never be too careful when choosing a babysitter, after all, the safety of your children will depend on this person’s competence. These tips will help you find a reliable babysitter who can protect your kids.


Written By: Christine Romans

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