As a babysitter, you have a great responsibility - you are responsible for the safety of the children you sit with and for the property of your employer. To help discharge this responsibility, we offer the following suggestions:

Prevention Before Fire Starts:

1. When you arrive at your employer's residence, ask for the following information...
• Know that 9-1-1 is your emergency number for the Fire Department, Sheriff's Department and EMS
• Poison Control Centre Phone Number
• The Full Address of the Residence
• A Phone number where your employer/parents can be reached
2. Ask for a walk around the house...
3. Familiarize yourself with the house that you are minding in... (how door locks work etc)...
4. Ask if they have a fire escape plan ... Do the children know it? ... Have they practiced the plan? ... Where is the meeting place? ... (see "Fire Escape Planning")
5. Where are the exits from the house? (know at least two ways out)..
6. Find out where the smoke alarm is. Check to see that it is operational. Ask if the children know what it sounds like..
7. After the parents leave, walk around with the children. Check the Kitchen, to ensure that the stove is turned off etc... Check the Living Room, to ensure that there are no lit cigarettes left behind etc... Check the Bedrooms to be sure that nothing unsafe was forgotten...
8. Bring your babysitting kit with you ... (Smoke alarm, flash light, night light, babysitter's pamphlet ).

What to do if a Fire Occurs!

1. Your first responsibility in case of a fire is to get the children out. Never place yourself or others in jeopardy by attempting to extinguish a fire. Once the children are in a safe place, dial 9-1-1. Once you are out do not re-enter the building! Do not waste time getting the children dressed, wrap them up in a blanket.
2. If you smell or see smoke, or hear the smoke alarm, sound a warning. SHOUT FIRE!
3. Stay close to the floor, where there is fresh air.
4. Close all doors behind you. Call the Fire Department from a safe place. Never go back into a burning building.
5. If you smell gas, get out, do not turn off any lights or electrical appliances. Call the Fire Department from a place of safety.
6. If your clothing or the clothing of the children should catch on fire, smother the flames with a towel, blanket or other thick material, OR stop, drop and roll, to smother the fire.

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This page, and all contents, are Copyright © 2010 by the Groton Township
Fire Department, 9414 Portland Road, Castalia, OH, USA

Last Updated 12/20/09