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Being a babysitter is a big responsibility! The Regina Fire
Department wants you to learn about the safe care of children.
The following fire safety information is from the Saskatchewan
Safety Council’s Babysitters Course
Preventing
A Fire Before It Starts
Fires are caused by:
1. Children playing with matches or lighters
2. Careless smoking
3. Overheated foods or cooking oils boiled over on elements
4. Faulty wiring in home or appliances
5. Careless use or storage of flammable liquids
To help prevent fire, here are some basic tips:
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- Never allow anyone to smoke in the home while babysitting.
- Check for smoldering cigarettes left by family members.
- Keep all smoking materials away from children.
- Never leave matches or lighters within children’s
reach; Check for matches and lighters, and place them
up high out of the reach of children.
- Never leave children unattended.
- Cook only if you have adult permission. Never leave
cooking unattended. Don’t wear long sleeves or loose
clothing when cooking or around fires.
- Keep children away from fireplaces, heaters, wood
stoves, etc.
- Never leave the stove on while you’re out of the
kitchen.
- Watch for frayed cords or worn parts on appliances.
Don’t use any electrical device you think is not safe.
- Candles are a serious fire hazard and should never
be used while babysitting.
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Remember...
Ask the parents ahead of time if their home has smoke
alarms. If not, you have the right to refuse to babysit.
AND
Discuss the family
escape plan before the parents leave. Have the
parents show you their family plan and meeting place so that
you don’t confuse the children with a different plan.
What to
Do If A Fire Occurs
If you smell smoke, hear a smoke alarm, or see flames, remember
the rule….
1. Get out of the house with the children. Don’t stop to
dress them. Guide the children out in front of you.
2. Take the children to a neighbour’s house and call the
fire department or 9-1-1 from there. Then call the parents.
(Keep a list of emergency numbers in your pocket ahead of
time.)
3. Don’t go back inside for any reason.
4. If you can’t get to the children, call the fire department.
Tell them the children are trapped inside and where they are.
When to fight a fire
- If a pan of food catches fire, smother the fire by sliding
the lid over the pot. Don’t use water on a grease fire.
- For a small fire in a wastebasket, use water.
- If there’s a lot of smoke, or if the fire doesn’t go
out, remember the rule –
GET OUT!
- NEVER put water on an electrical fire – you could
be electrocuted. Get out of the house with the kids and
call the fire department.
If a child’s clothing catches fire
- Do not let the child run. This gives the fire air.
- Stop the child, tripping or grabbing him/her if
necessary.
- Drop the child to the ground.
- Roll over to smother the fire.
- If a blanket or heavy coat is handy, wrap it around the
child, pulling it down around the shoulders to smother the
flames and protect the face.
- When flames are extinguished, get immediate medical help.
| Activity:
You Solve the Problem
You solve the problem!
It’s Wednesday afternoon. You’re babysitting three
children – 4 year old twins and a baby.
You put the baby down for her nap about half an hour
ago. She’s now sleeping upstairs. You’re downstairs
with the twins.
All of a sudden you hear the smoke alarm upstairs start
to sound. You run upstairs to make sure the baby is
okay. But there’s smoke blocking your way upstairs
to where the baby is sleeping.
What should you do?
Click
Here for Answer
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The Regina Fire Department works with young
teens who participate in the Saskatchewan
Safety Council and Red
Cross babysitting courses. By teaching the fire safety
component of the babysitting courses, the Department addresses
the fire safety needs of approximately 500 of these students
each year. |
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