Babysitting requires constant supervision of the child. Children are naturally active and
exploratory but their motor skills are not yet well developed and have no sense of safety. In fact, leaving your ward unattended for even just a minute can lead to harm or injury. The child can suddenly run to the road or jump out of the window or take in a harmful substance – all of these, and many more, incidents can happen in a blink of an eye.
Just like texting and driving, talking on the phone while babysitting can potentially put the child at risk. When you are using the telephone, your attention is divided between the child and the phone call. You can easily lose focus on the child and that’s when accidents can happen. So it is recommended that you keep all phone conversations short. If possible, avoid unnecessary phone calls, especially personal calls. You should also avoid using your cellphone to text message or smartphone to surf the net.
Telephone Safety Tips
Here are some important things to remember about telephone and mobile phone use while babysitting:
- Ask the parents if you can pick up phone calls and how they would like the phone answered.
- Keep conversations as short as possible. Be polite at all times.
- Limit phone calls to those related to the job only, avoid making or receiving personal calls. Ask the parent’s permission about your use of the phone for making brief personal calls.
- Make sure you use the phone only for important calls.
- Telephone lines can be tied up when you use the internet; so keep your internet time brief.
- Call the parents, the police or a trusted adult if you receive unsolicited phone call that scares you.
- Place emergency phone number, the office or mobile phone number of the parents, the address of the home, paper and pen near telephone lines.
- Never leave the child unattended while using the phone. Keep the child near you while talking over the phone.
- Never give the caller information about the child or the whereabouts of the parents, unless you have been instructed to do so.
- Never inform the caller that you are the babysitter and that the parents are out. Tell them the parents are busy at the moment and ask them if they want to leave a note.
- Never call, text message or chat with your friends while you are babysitting, even if you are using your personal mobile phone. You can get distracted and miss important phone calls or you may not be able to attend to the child well.
Safety First
The safety of the child is your top concern. Although phone calls do not pose any immediate harm, children could be put in an unsafe situation or get harmed if you lose focus on them. Babysitting courses offered by St Mark James include these safety tips and many more. To learn more about how you can be the best babysitter, visit your local workplace approved Chapter and enrol in a babysitting or first aid and CPR course today!
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