If your child is allowed to bike ride, skateboard or in-line skate while you're away, make sure the sitter knows where to find your child's helmet, knee pads and other protective gear and insists your child wears them. If you leave your child at your sitter's home, make sure you review the information mentioned above and check out their home beforehand to see that it is childproofed. The time and energy spent on these preliminary steps can make an important difference in your child's well-being. By taking a few precautions, the babysitter can help prevent a serious mishap that might affect your child. The Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition recommends you and your sitter review the following precautionary steps to take in your home or the sitter's home.
Fires Have a working smoke alarm in every sleeping area and on every level of the home.
Test the smoke alarm once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year. Keep all matches, lighters, gasoline and all other flammable materials out of the sight and locked out of reach of children. Plan and practice several fire escape routes from each room of the home and identify an outside meeting place. Get the children out of the home first. Crawl under smoke keeping mouth and nose covered.