Now I’m going to read another story. Listen carefully so that you can decide what to do in this situation:


You are babysitting for an 18-month-old toddler named Maria. You are reading a book to Maria while she is sitting on your lap. When you say “The end” she jumps down from your lap and starts laughing and running from you. She stumbles into the family dog that is eating from his dish on the floor. The dog growls and then bites Maria on the cheek. There is a little bit of blood on her cheek.


• Who should handle this injury? (Ask a back-up adult to come help.)


• Why is calling a back-up adult the appropriate thing to do? (An animal bite is a significant injury; the employer should contact the child’s pediatrician.)


• Who could be a back-up adult? (A neighbor, the employer, or your own parent could be the back-up adult, as long as they are close by and able to be there within a few minutes.)


• Remember to stay calm, stay safe, and provide comfort.


• Would you be embarrassed about calling an adult for help? [Regardless of what students answer, reassure them that calling for help is a sign of maturity. No one expects teen sitters to have all the answers. Even doctors and nurses after years of training often need to consult with other doctors and nurses for help with patients.]


Fall down stairs that are not protected by a safety gate? (Toddlers.) Chew on medication thinking it is candy? (Preschoolers.)


VIDEO: POISONING VIDEO: THE VOMITING CHILD


Poisoning is a danger for three of the four age groups. Let’s watch this Babysitter Boss video to learn more about poisoning.


Let’s watch this Babysitter Boss video to see an example of handling an illness that requires the help of a back-up adult.


Do any of you have an allergy or know someone who is allergic to something? Allergies are very common, and it’s important to be aware of the allergies of those around you, including friends, neighbors, and children you are babysitting. Why would you want to be aware that a friend, neighbor, or child you babysit has an allergy?


• Finally, how could you have prevented Maria from getting bitten by the dog? (Keep small children away from the family dog, especially when the dog is eating.)


Look at page 33. Your Student Handbook gives several examples of illnesses or injuries that you can handle yourself. Can you give me one?


[So that you can help them avoid the allergen, and therefore prevent an allergic reaction.]


What does an allergic reaction look like?


[Call on a student or ask for volunteers. Discuss the example the student has given and why the student is capable of handling the injury or illness.]


Keep in mind that minor problems are more common than any other category. These are the problems you will most often need to deal with.


[It could look very different, depending on the severity of the allergy: runny nose and itchy eyes, wheezing, hives, difficulty breathing, even loss of consciousness or shock.]


[Graphic: Make Your Call] UPDATED 2023


One of the most important things that you will learn today is the system that Safe Sitters use to assess an injury/illness to determine who should handle it. Safe Sitters decide who should handle any injury or health problem based on the seriousness and urgency of the problem.


What does “serious” mean? (The situation is more than the sitter can


SAFE SITTER® INSTRUCTOR MANUAL | PAGE 29


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