BABYSITTING CHILD SAFETY TIPS

Your responsibility as a babysitter extends far beyond playmate to guardian, and that means arming yourself with knowledge and strategies to thwart potential threats. Keeping children safe from abduction is of utmost importance for babysitters. Here are some tips to help ensure their safety.

1. Stay Alert: Always stay alert and aware of your surroundings, especially when out with children. Keep an eye on who is around you and any unusual behavior.

It won’t always be a creepy guy in a van offering kids candy like in the movies. A team of criminals working together is more common in trafficking abductions. One will attempt to distract you while the other grabs the child.

2. Know Emergency Contacts: Have a list of emergency contacts readily available, including the parents' contact information, trusted neighbors, and local authorities.

3. Establish Safety Rules: Set clear safety rules with the children you're babysitting. Teach them not to talk to strangers and what to do if someone they don't know approaches them. It is always good to have this conversation with the children before you leave the house and again before you get out of the car at your destination.

4. Stay in Public Areas: When taking children out, stick to well-lit and populated areas. Avoid secluded spots and places where it's easy to lose sight of each other. If the children are old enough to understand, choose a meeting place at the venue in case you get separated.

5. Use the Buddy System: Encourage children to stay together and not wander off alone, even in familiar places like parks or playgrounds. Remind them to never go to the bathroom alone and always hold your hand in crowds.

6. Communicate Openly: Maintain open communication with the children you are babysitting. Encourage them to share any concerns or discomfort they may have. Build a trusting relationship so they will feel comfortable telling you immediately if they have experienced a “red flag” encounter with an adult.

7. Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off or suspicious, trust your instincts. Remove yourself and the children from the situation immediately. It’s always better to be overly cautious than under-prepared.

8. Practice Role-Playing: Role-play scenarios with the children about what to do if approached by a stranger. This will help them respond faster in real-life situations. Even if you aren’t planning to take the kids out for an adventure, this is always a great activity to teach child safety.

9. Teach Safety Phrases: Teach children safety phrases like "Stranger Danger" or "No, I need to check with my parents first" to use if they feel uncomfortable.

10. Secure the Home: Keep doors and windows always locked while you are babysitting in case of a home burglary. You should do a quick sweep of the house and check they are all locked as soon as you arrive.

As a responsible caretaker, you should have a plan in place for what to do in case of an emergency, such as a break-in or suspicious activity outside. A part of this plan should include locating a safe place to hide the children if someone is forcibly breaking into the home.

11. Educate About Online Safety: If the children are old enough to use technology, educate them about online safety, including not sharing personal information or meeting strangers they have connected with online.

Many parents will post pictures of their children’s bedroom makeover or a cute picture of their baby in the crib by the window. Unfortunately, online predators would look closely at those pictures and know exactly where to go in the house to get the child.

12. Verify Visitors: Always verify the identity of someone who comes to the door while you are babysitting. Even if it is the pizza man, open the door, step out onto the porch and close the door behind you. This puts one extra layer of protection between the stranger and the children you are babysitting. If the random person is not expected, call the parents before opening the door.

13. Be Cautious with Social Media: Just as children and parents need to be cautious about images they share on social media, so do you. Don’t share that you are babysitting on Friday night with a frown emoji. Avoid sharing specific details about the children you're babysitting on social media, including their location or photos that could identify them. Unfortunately, child predators and traffickers troll social media looking for easy targets.

14. Stay Informed: Stay informed about any recent incidents or safety concerns in your area and adjust your precautions accordingly. This may be anything from checking the weather and preparing if a thunderstorm is expected, to knowing if there has been a recent criminal report in the neighborhood. It’s always good to ask the parents themselves if there is anything “extra” that you need to be aware of before they leave.

Protecting the children in your care goes beyond just keeping them entertained – it's about staying one step ahead in safeguarding their well-being. From the subtle nuances of human behavior to the dangers of the digital landscape, vigilance is key when you are babysitting. By adhering to these guidelines and implementing proactive measures, babysitters can effectively safeguard the children under their care from potential abduction.