Houston – As the summer season unfolds, childcare and safety are at the top of parents’ minds. Parents will often rely on babysitters to keep their children safe or a trusted older sibling. To help navigate these concerns, Gail Gould, also known as The CPR and Safety Lady offered essential tips for kids staying home by themselves and babysitters.
When it comes to babysitters, Gould says the emotional maturity of that person is key. Some kids as young as 10 could be ready to babysit but others are not emotionally ready to take action if during an emergency.
“There’s no minimum age requirement for babysitters here in Texas but the American Red Cross and Safe Sitter both say around 11 is probably about as young as you want to go for a babysitter,” says Gould.
For others watching your children, she followed up with these additional tips:
- EMERGENCY CONTACTS: Know the emergency contact numbers: when to call 911, poison control, or an adult for help
- EMERGENCY ROUTES: Take time to show the babysitter around and let them know about potential fire escapes, fire extinguishers, AED locations, etc.
- ALLERGIES: One in 13 school children has a serious food allergy. The babysitter should know if the children have allergies and where the EpiPen and other first aid items may be. Also, make sure the sitter is aware of what your child’s reaction symptoms look like.
- FIRST AID SKILLS: All babysitters should know how to perform CPR and what to do if a child is choking or gets injured. Performing CPR on an infant and a child up to the age of eight looks very different, watch the video player above to see the key differences.
When it comes to water safety, Gould says to have a conversation with the sitter if they plan to do water activities. Children should always be at an arm’s length of the adult while in the pool or ocean.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Never assume your babysitter knows how to perform CPR.
If a babysitter is not an option, parents might choose to let their kids stay home alone. It’s an important decision but Gould provided some insight to prepare them for this new responsibility and ensure their safety. Once again, there’s no one-size-fits-all for staying home alone, she points out the emotional readiness of the child. These other tips are equally as important.
KEY TAKEAWAYS: Emotional maturity is important when picking a babysitter and determining if your child is ready to stay home alone. Your child should also never reveal they are home alone online or to friends. A harmless post could be alerting a predator.
In the chance of a serious bleed, Gould shares how to properly use a tourniquet to stop the bleeding while waiting for help. She breaks it down step-by-step and offers other options in the video player above.
Suppose you’re not sure where to start. In that case, Gould’s website has a lot of resources and information, including training for CPR, AED, First Aid, Stop the Bleed, basic life support, Active Violence Emergency Response Training or AVERT, and infant and child babysitting courses.
Gould is also very active on Instagram, offering daily informational videos on safety and preparedness.