Safety and Fire Prevention - Babysitting and Fire Safety

A babysitter must be able to react quickly and correctly in case of an emergency. Following these guidelines will help to ensure the experience is a safe and pleasant one for you, the babysitter and your children.

Parent responsibilities

Make sure your children and all family members are familiar with your home escape plan including escape routes and your designated outside meeting place.
Post your home escape plan where everyone will see it.
Test all smoke alarms to verify that they are working.
Speak to responsible neighbours so that the babysitter may contact them in an emergency.
Post emergency numbers by the phone, 9-1-1 and your home address. Include your neighbour's name and telephone number and also the number where the babysitter can reach you.
Ensure your home address is clearly visible from the street.

When the babysitter arrives

Tour your home with the babysitter, reviewing your home escape plan. Discuss the floor plan, pointing out exits.
Show the babysitter the designated outside meeting place. Point out your neighbour's homes.
Clearly explain to the babysitter that if there is smoke or fire, your only concern is that everyone gets out of the home quickly and safely. If a smoke alarm sounds, no one should try to locate the fire and no one should try to put it out!
Point out emergency telephone numbers to the babysitter and provide them with an emergency information sheet (see the example at end of this page). Note: Babysitters should keep this information sheet with them at all times when they are babysitting your children because they will need it if they have to quickly run to a neighbour's.
If the babysitter is will be cooking or heating up food, demonstrate the use of all appliances they will be required to use.
Never allow babysitters to smoke while on the job.
Provide a flashlight for the babysitter in the event of a power failure and show them where you store an emergency kit.
Provide the babysitter with additional relevant information about the children's routines and special needs such as allergies, medical conditions and medications.

Babysitter responsibilities in the event of fire

No matter how small a fire is, if you see or smell smoke, or detect an odour of gas (smells like rotten eggs), immediately get the children outside and call 9-1-1.
In the event of a fire emergency, 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 the children.
Never re-enter a burning building. Smoke and toxic gases from a fire can be fatal.
Call the Fire Department or 9-1-1 from a neighbour's house once everyone is out of the home safely.

Basic fire safety tips for babysitters:

Don't smoke
Keep matches and lighters away from children.
Keep children away from space heaters.
Be kictchen wise. When cooking declare a kid-free zone 3 feet around the stove or microwave. Turn pot handles in towards the stove so children can not 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 in your clothes catch on fire.
Crawl low under smoke.

Download the Babysitter Information Sheet

In case of fire or an emergency, call 9-1-1.