ON GUARD  - Babysitting Tips – part 2
By Laura Quarantiello
© Tiare Publications Group

If you baby-sit for other people's children there are a number of 
precautions you should take – as well as information you need to 
provide and have (see part one of this series) to insure your charges 
and yourself will have a babysitting experience free of problems or 
that you'll be able to handle any problems which might arise. Here 
are some additional points you should consider:

Don't open the door to strangers and don't tell anyone who comes to 
the door that you are alone. Tell them that you are visiting and will 
deliver a message.

During the day you might have the children out in the yard. If you're 
in the back make sure the front is locked – and vice versa.

If you take the children anywhere make sure you have the house key 
with you and double check to be sure all of the doors and windows are 
locked.

Have the children use the bathroom before you leave to help avoid 
having to use public restrooms.

When you are out with the children don't talk to strangers.  If you 
suspect you are being followed go to a nearby home, store, fast food 
restaurant or gas station and call the police.  

If anything seems unseal when you get back to the children's home – 
broken window, open door, strange car parked nearby, don't go in. Go 
to a neighbor's house and call the police. 

If at any time you're uneasy or suspicious about anything, don't 
hesitate to call the police or the neighbor's phone number you were 
given.

If you suspect a fire get the children out of the house. Go to a 
neighbor's and call 911. If you were able to take the safety 
checklist with you (see part l of these tips) call your employer and 
let them know where you and the children are.

Try to stay calm in any emergency. Remember that young children won't 
panic if you don't.

When your employers return give them a full report on what happened- 
especially anything you considered unusual.

Call your home to let them know you are on your way.

Be sure you have an escort home. This should be one of the conditions 
under which you accept any babysitting job.

If for some reason your employers won't drive or walk you home – or 
seem to be intoxicated – call home and ask someone to come and get 
you.

Common sense and basic precautions go a long way toward assuring you 
a safe and pleasant babysitting experience.

Laura Quarantiello is the author of "ON GUARD  – How to Win the War 
Against the Bad Guys" – a vitally important book filled with crucial 
information on keeping you and your family safe from the creeps and 
crazies out there.  More information at: 
http://www.tiare.com/onguard.htm