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 Regina Fire & Protective Services 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 Fire & Protective Services 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.