Babysitting and Fire Safety

Parent's Responsibility

  • Make sure children are familiar with the home escape plan.
  • Post the home escape plan.
  • Test all smoke alarms to make sure they are working.
  • Speak to responsible neighbors so that the babysitter may contact them during an emergency.
  • Post emergency phone numbers near the phone.  Include the neighbor's address and phone number as well as your own address.

Questions to Ask When You Arrive

  • Tour the home with the parents and discuss their home escape plan.  Identify possible exits.
  • Ask where the designated meeting place is outside as well as the neighbor's homes.
  • Ask the parents what to do in the event of a fire.  The babysitter's only concern is to get everyone out quickly and safely.
  • Ask where the list of emergency numbers is, and if they have an emergency information sheet.
  • Ask where the first aid kit is kept.
  • Ask for additional information regarding the children's routines and special needs.

Babysitter's Responsibility in the Event of a Fire

  • No matter how small the fire, if you smell smoke or detect the smell of gas leave the home immediately.
  • In the event of a fire, remove the children from the home and take them to a safe place.
  • Do not waste time dressing the children.  If it is cold outside, grab a blanket to wrap around them.
  • Do not turn on any light switches because this could create a spark, fire or an explosion.
  • Once you are out of the house, do not re-enter the building for any reason.
  • Call 9-1-1 from a neighbor's house once everyone is out of the home safely.

Basic Fire Safety Tips

  • Don't smoke.
  • Keep matches up high where children cannot reach them.
  • Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn.
  • Be kitchen wise.  When cooking, declare a kid-free zone three feet around the stove or microwave.  Turn pot handles in towards the stove so children cannot grab them.  Keep clutter away from the stove and never leave the kitchen while cooking.
  • Cool a burn with cool water for 10 to 15 minutes.  If blisters or charring appear call the doctor.
  • Stop, drop, and roll and cover your face if your clothes catch on fire.
  • Crawl low under smoke.
Emergency Information for Babysitter Form Place this form where the babysitter can see/access it easily.