Live Smart: Health and Safety Activities for Youth Clubs

Bulletin 907

Sitting Safety

YOU WILL TEACH CLUB MEMBERS

To follow safety practices when baby-sitting.

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

Posterboard, marker, game prizes (prizes are optional)

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Ask club members: Have you ever watched or cared for young children? Have you ever been responsible for caring for your younger brothers and sisters? Has anyone here ever been paid to baby-sit?

Ask club members: How old were the children you watched? Does the age of the children affect how you baby-sit? Why?
Answer: Yes, the age of the children affects what you do as a babysitter. A big part of a babysitter's job is to protect the children from harm. The age and abilities of the child will give you an idea of what hazards the child should be protected from.

Ask club members: What are some of the things you should be cautious of when watching children?
Answer: Poisonous items such as medicines, bleaches, household cleaners; stairs; electrical outlets; stoves; ovens; heaters; hair curling items; small toys

WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW?

Tell club members: Here are some tips to help you become a safe sitter.

Before the parents leave, make sure you have the following names and phone numbers: where the parents will be, nearby friend or relative, children's doctor, fire department, police department, poison control center, and hospital. Keep your emergency telephone list handy at all times.

Know where the emergency exits are located.

In there is a fire, do not try to put it out yourself. First, get the children out of the house and take them to a neighbor. Then call the fire department and the parents.

Know where potential hazards are located. These include electrical outlets, appliances, and heaters. Also make sure that all medicine, bleaches, and household cleaners are locked up.

Stairs are dangerous places for youngsters. Do not allow children to play on them. If there is a gate across the stairway, make sure to keep it latched.

When caring for an infant, do not bathe the baby unless the parents instruct you to do so. Bathing a baby can lead to hot water scalds or drowning. Instead, use a clean facecloth in lukewarm water to bathe the baby.

Infants tend to put things in their mouths. They may choke on such small items. Watch babies carefully to make sure small objects are out of reach. If the infant is choking, use first aid to clear the child's airway and call the rescue squad.

Keep doors and windows locked at all times. Never open the door to strangers.

Children easily get colds and infections, and therefore, you should not baby-sit when you are ill.

Take first aid classes, but remember you are not a doctor. In case of accident or illness, treat only minor cuts and bruises.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Prior to your presentation, write the hazards listed below on index cards. You may be able to think of a few more on your own. Stairs, bleach, curling iron, electric outlet, small toys, hot water, swimming pools, hair dryer, knives, scissors, heaters, automobiles.

Start the activity by splitting the group into two teams. Ask a volunteer from one team to come to the front, select one of the index cards, and draw a picture of the hazard written on the chosen card. Tell the volunteer that he/she is only allowed to draw. Talking, making sounds, writing words or letters, and gesturing is not allowed. Other members of the same team are given 30 seconds to guess the hazard being displayed. If the team guesses correctly, the team earns one point. If the team fails, the other team is given one chance to guess. If the second team guesses correctly, it receives two points. If the second team fails, no point award is given to either team. Continue to play the game, alternating between teams. The team with the most points is declared the winner. You may want to bring prizes for the winning team or give awards for the best "artists."

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