Leaving clear, detailed instructions for your baby sitter is a good way to keep your child safe – and ease your mind – when you’re away. Our tips can help you enjoy a night out or a weekend away.

Coaching the baby sitter

Important phone numbers

• Post emergency numbers — including for the hospital, doctor and the Oregon Poison Center (800-222-1222) — by your home phone. You may want to ask regular sitters to put those numbers on their cellphones.
• Have the sitter put your cell number on her phone. Also post it near the home phone.
• Give the sitter the phone number of where you will be.
• Give the sitter a neighbor or relative’s phone number in case of emergency.
• Make sure the sitter knows your address and phone number.

Safety tips

• Tell your sitter where you’re going and how long you will be gone.
• Show your sitter where emergency numbers are posted.
• Show your sitter fire-escape routes, chain or rope ladders for upper-floor windows, smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.
• Review the tips on this page with the sitter. You may want to print them out.
• Have a clear understanding with your sitter about:
  • Pay
  • Use of the kitchen, TV, phone and computer
  • Guests
• Give new sitters time to get to know your child before you leave.
• Lock up before you leave.
• When you get back, ask the sitter about any calls, visitors, emergencies, accidents or unusual occurrences.
• Escort the sitter home at night.

Emergencies

What to tell the baby sitter

• Tell the sitter to call 911 right away if:
  • She thinks an injury is severe.
  • There’s a fire of any size.
  • She suspects an intruder.
• In case of a fire, tell the sitter to get out with all children, then call 911 from her cellphone or a neighbor’s home.
• Show the sitter where first-aid supplies are.

What to teach your child

• Have your child tell the sitter about any accident, injury or strange person.
• Show your child how to call 911. Explain that he should call 911 only when an adult can’t do it.
• Teach your child her name, address and phone number.
• Write the emergency numbers, your address and home phone number next to the phone and show it to your child.
• Teach your child how to give this information when calling an emergency number:
  • My name is:
  • I live at:
  • My phone number is:
  • We have an emergency:

Medications and medical issues

• Write down the times and doses of your child’s medications. Show your sitter where the medications are. 
• Tell the sitter about your child’s medical conditions. Explain how she should handle an asthma attack, epileptic seizure or other event.

Care and play safety

• Review safety for routine care such as baths, diaper changing or putting your baby down for a nap.
• Tell the sitter which play activities are allowed inside and outside.
• Tell the sitter what rooms, such as the attic or basement, are off-limits. Lock those doors.