Sitters and Safety

November 1999 - Sitters and Safety

by Richard H. Middleton, Jr. & Leah S. Guerry

Making that first decision to venture out for a quick trip to the movies without the kids can be difficult. When it comes to the question of, "Who will watch the kids," some parents can rely upon grandparents who may live nearby. In fact, according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, 9 out of 10 grandparents (or 42 million) care for their grandchildren during the course of the year. Families who don't have access to this familial resource will start the process of searching for a babysitter.

We most often fear that while we are away from the house, our children may be harmed in an accident. Unintentional injury remains the leading cause of death among children ages 14 and under in the U.S. However, we can alleviate fears, somewhat, by being choosy about whom we hire to look after our children.

One safety website, the I'm Safe! Network, suggests that a babysitter search should be as rigorous as hiring an employee.

q Start by asking friends for recommendations. If you are new to the neighborhood, turn to your local church, synagogue, or other community organizations for suggestions.

q Once you have names, start interviewing. Ask sitters to describe their personal strengths and weaknesses and how their skills would be conducive to child care. Don't be afraid to ask them what they would do if a child cuts herself, is choking, or if the children refuse to go to bed?

q Call references. Ask people who know your prospective sitter: Would they trust their own children with this sitter? How does this person interact with other people? What is his or her maturity level?

q Give your children a chance to interact -- perhaps in a play time setting -- in your home with a prospective sitter.

Once you choose your sitter, it's time to arm him or her with information and outline expectations and rules, such as bed time and television watching. Some babysitters are well prepared and may have even taken a babysitter training course. The Red Cross is one organization that offers a full-day course for young people ages 11 to 15. This particular class offers basic child care skills, first aid, and injury prevention.

Some of the resources to give your babysitter include:

q Instructions on how to answer the phone and door. Do not let the sitter open the door to strangers or indicate to callers that he or she is alone caring for the children.

q A tour of your home to identify potential hazards, review how to lock and unlock doors and windows, and explain medication schedules or food allergies.

q Your home address and phone number; a contact number for you while you are out; emergency contact numbers such as neighbors or relatives; emergency numbers (along with 9-1-1) for the pediatrician, police and fire departments and poison control center.

q A temporary medical release (and any insurance information) that will allow hospitals to treat your child in an emergency when you are not present.

When you return home, talk to the sitter about the afternoon or evening to find out if there were any difficulties. Likewise, check with your kids to find out what they did. Ask if they had a fun time and whether they felt safe or afraid.

For more information about babysitting safety, go to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission web site at www.cpsc.gov. Click on the search button and type in "Super Sitter." You'll find tips on potential dangers both indoors and out, plus instructions about how to create a "Super Sitter Surprise Box," full of safe toys and activity ideas. To see a description of the Red Cross Babysitter's Handbook, go to www.redcross.org/hss/baby/handbook.html.

Richard H. Middleton, Jr., president of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, is a partner in the Savannah, GA, law firm of Middleton, Mathis, Adams & Tate, P.C.

Leah S. Guerry is the executive director of the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association.

Reprinted with permission of Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, P. O. Box 4289, Baton Rouge; (225) 383-5554 or (800) 354-6267.