Fire safety education for babysitters

When you are babysitting, keep the following safety tips in mind:

• Discuss the family’s fire escape plan before the parents leave.
• Have the parents show you the plan and inform you of the meeting place so you don’t confuse the children.
• Ensure you have the parent’s phone number and location of where they are going. Keep this in your pocket.
• Close the bedroom door once you have put a child to bed.

You have the right to refuse babysitting if the home does not have working smoke alarms. It would be a heartbreaking tragedy if there was a fire and you were unaware because of smoke alarms that didn’t work.

If a fire occurs

If you smell smoke, hear a smoke alarm or see flames, remember the rule...get out and stay out!

• Gather the children. If smoke or fire blocks your path to one of the children, get the rest of the children out of the house and tell the Fire Department there is a child trapped in the house when you call 9-1-1.
• Don’t stop to dress the children or get their shoes.
• Get yourself and the children out of the house by guiding them out in front of you.
• Take the children to a neighbour’s house and call the Fire Department or 9-1-1 from there.
• Call the parents.
• Do not go back inside the home for any reason.

If a child’s clothing catches fire

• Do not let the child run. This gives the fire air.
• Stop the child by tripping or grabbing him/her if necessary.
• Drop the child to the ground.
• Roll over to smother the fire.
• If a blanket or heavy coat is handy, wrap it around the child, pulling it down around the shoulders to smother the flames and protect the child’s face.
• When flames are extinguished, call 9-1-1 immediately.