UrbanSitter is an online resource where parents go to find and book babysitters recommended by people they know. It connects families to babysitters in 60 cities, including DC. You can find a last minute babysitter, a nanny or just a babysitter you can use for date nights. The site allows you to see video introductions of sitters, read reviews left by other parents who have hired the sitter and includes a place to request an interview and even an actual day to babysit. With summer almost here, UrbanSitter is recommending 7 Summer Safety Guidelines to Share with Your Sitter. In addition to the tips, they are also offering a $100 UrbanSitter credit to one lucky winner who comments on the article (or on our Facebook page post with the link to the article) with an additional safety tip worth sharing with babysitters. Seems like a great way to begin your summer! Giveaway ends Wednesday, May 13, 2015.
Give yourself a break this summer and hire a sitter to take over a day of pool duty, run the kids to the park or just spend an afternoon playing with them in your own backyard.
But, before you take off for your well-deserved time-away, make sure you have a responsible sitter. UrbanSitter enables you to find sitters whom friends or other local parents recommend, plus you can see if the sitters are First Aid and CPR-trained. Those added layers of comfort go a long way when choosing someone to care for your kids, especially at a pool or beach.
Once you have your kids in good hands, follow these helpful guidelines to communicate summer safety with your sitter:
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Wow, you've covered almost everything. An additional safety tip I have is to make sure and tell your sitter about any allergies your children might have.
Great list. I'd add to that emergency bullet some basic information about allergies (foods and otherwise).
Kind of silly, but making sure there's always some emergency cash on hand, even if just a $20. You might need it in a pinch.
These are fantastic! Many of these are focused on the outdoors since outdoor play in the summer is so fun. So I would add, extra supervision is necessary around things like wading pools, trampolines and hoses. Make sure children don't run into the street after rolling balls. Infants shouldn't wear certain bug repellants or sunscreens, so I would suggest asking Mom and Dad which products they want applied to their kids and how frequently. Thanks for the other great tips!
These are fantastic! I would add be sure to plan early morning activities to avoid extreme heat and sun exposure!
One tip is to have a home binder with things like emergency contacts, takeout menus, and manuals for various appliances / kid items in case they need to access information quickly. You could also do this with a google doc.
If you have pets, make sure they know any special information about the pets too!
Children should wear tennis shoes, or other shoes that cover the toes, while biking and riding scooters & skateboards. This will help prevent toe and foot injuries.
Leave the most important details in writing! It's easy to forget when it's just verbalized.
Teach children from a young age what to do if they are separated from yourself or the adult who is caring for them while on outings. They shouldn't wander around looking for you. If they remember the last place that they were with you and they are within sight of that area, they should stay there. Talk to them before venturing out about what color top or hat you are wearing. Take a "family photo" when you arrive at your outing, so you remember what they are wearing too, should you need the information. Establish a "secret code" word to use. Help them identify "safe adults" to go to. Employees with badges, police, etc. Play I-spy periodicially during the day to teach them to watch for you. You can make a game out of teaching them, based on their age and maturity. You are not trying to scare them, rather teach them about their surroundings.
Don't forget to reapply the sunscreen throughout the day. Use sunscreen protective clothing and sunscreens in the car on the windows near their car seats.