Hiring a Babysitter? Seven Tips to Keep Your Kids and Home Safe
Every parent requires a reliable babysitter once in a while. Whether you need someone to watch your kids after school or you just want a night off, the top priority is making sure that your kids will be safe. Follow these steps to ensure that your children are in good hands when you go out.
Get Recommendations From Friends and Family
It’s true that there are plenty of qualified babysitters advertising in the classifieds, but it’s always best to find babysitters through someone that you know and trust. It gives you additional peace of mind and verification from a trusted source that this person is good at watching over children. Ask your friends and family members for recommendations next time you need a babysitter.
Make Sure They’re Old Enough
A babysitter should be mature enough to keep your children out of trouble and handle any problems that may arise. In general, your babysitter should be at least 12 years old. If you have several children who need to be watched, it may be a good idea to get a babysitter who is older than that.
Set Up an Interview
You should always meet the prospective babysitter in person before letting them watch over your kids. Aside from asking basic questions about qualifications and experience, pay attention to their general demeanor. Observe how they interact with your children. A good babysitter should be authoritative when necessary but also calm. The last thing you want is a babysitter who is prone to losing their temper with your kids.
Run the Security Cameras
Even if you trust your babysitter, it never hurts to have some extra assurance that they are doing a good job. The security cameras that come with many alarm systems provide you with a way to review their conduct. In some cases, parents have caught babysitters stealing valuables from the house or even abusing the children. Having security cameras installed by a Miami ADT home security firm can alert you to such behavior.
Verify That They Know Basic First Aid
Children sometimes suffer injuries around the house and in the yard. These are usually a result of falling down the stairs, crashing a bicycle, or choking on small objects. A babysitter who is familiar with first aid is a must. If you intend to use a certain babysitter for a long time, paying for them to attend a first aid class could be a worthwhile investment.
Familiarize Them With Your Home Security Strategy
When you are gone, the babysitter is in charge of the house, so it’s critical that they are familiar with your home security strategy. Show them how the alarm system works, where the motion lights are located, and how to summon law enforcement. The service from ADT Miami homeowners have usually comes with a panic button that can alert law enforcement right away. Show the babysitter how to use this feature. Also make sure that they know the escape plan in case they need to get the children away from a criminal threat.
Check In Periodically
You may have found a trustworthy and responsible babysitter, but it’s still a good idea to check on things at the house. The convenience of cell phones and text messages allows you to get in touch with the babysitter whenever you want. If you don’t receive a response, call a trusted neighbor and ask them to go to your house and see if everything is all right.
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 babysitter who can protect your kids from accidents or criminal threats.
