Babysitting, Babysitters, Childcare, Nanny, Nannies, Babies, Infants, Singapore
Miscellaneous Safety Tips
Water Safety during childcare
Danger lurks in water. Water in swimming pools, wading pools, buckets, and toilets can be dangerous! Babysitters or nannies involved in childcare should take special note.
- NEVER let children play in or near the street. This is especially important because playing near the street could mean that a child might dart into the street before you could catch them.
- NEVER let a child climb trees, skateboard or do other dangerous activities, even if they do these things when their parents are home.
- NEVER light matches, fireworks or fires of any sort.
- NEVER allow more than four children-including the ones you are watching-to gather in the yard. It is too hard to keep everyone safe.
- ALWAYS lock the doors and close the curtains when you go inside.
- ALWAYS be cautious of stray dogs, strangers and groups of teenagers who hang around.
Hand Washing Tips
- Wash before you eat.
- Use soap
- Dry your hands well and throw away used paper towels
- Wash after playing outside
- Wash after using the toilet, helping a child use the toilet, or changing a diaper
- Wash after you sneeze or cough
- Wash after you play with pets
Balloons Can Be Dangerous
A balloon that is blown up is not dangerous. A deflated balloon or pieces of a "popped" balloon are dangerous, because they are a choking hazard. Food objects (hot dogs, candies, nuts, and grapes) causing choking are much more common than non-food objects (toys, coins, pins, and tacks), but balloons are the most common cause of death from choking caused by a toy. Balloons are frequently given to children, especially at parties and/or holidays. Young children explore by putting things into their mouths. Choking may be caused by:
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Sucking a deflated balloon into the mouth while trying to blow up the balloon.
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Chewing on a deflated balloon.
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Biting into a balloon which breaks into pieces.
Any of these can cause death by choking. The material that balloons are made of makes the pieces especially hard to remove if they are sucked into the throat. Normal first aid procedures such as the Heimlich Maneuver are less likely to be successful than with other objects, such as food. Babysitters can protect the child and prevent tragedy if they follow these rules when babysitting.
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As a nanny, do not allow young children (infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers) to blow up or play with balloons
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Older children (school age) should be watched carefully when playing with balloons.
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Pick up and immediately discard pieces of a popped balloon.
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Do not allow older children to chew or suck on balloons.
