Keeping Your Child Safe In The Summer While You’re At Work

Summer break is something kids look forward to all year; the freedom that comes with longer days and no set schedule is a wonderful thing, but it can be stressful for parents who work outside the home. Trying to arrange for babysitters and day camps, pick-ups, and setting up for fun activities while you’re gone can be a big undertaking, especially when you have to also consider the safety of your child at the same time.

There are several things you can do to make life a little easier in the summer, however, including staying organized and keeping communication open with your child and any caregiver who comes into the home. Once you’re prepared for any issue that might arise, you’ll have peace of mind and will be able to better focus on work while you’re away from the house. Here are a few of the best ways to do it.

Finding a babysitter

While kids of a certain age may be able to stay home alone, maturity levels differ and should always be taken into consideration. If you feel comfortable with trusting that your child will listen to your instructions on what to do (and what not to do) while you’re away, check online to see what the age guidelines are for your state. Some states suggest that a child is at least nine years old before they are allowed to spend time alone (and then only for a couple of hours at a time).

If that’s not an option, finding a babysitter you can trust is imperative. Check with friends who have children to see if they can recommend someone, or you might even try asking teachers and teacher’s aides at your child’s school before summer break begins. Many educators--especially those just out of college--will need a steady source of income over the summer and if they already know your child, the transition will be easy for everyone. It’s a good idea to get your child’s input about their caregiver, however, and listen to any concerns they might have.

Once you find someone suitable for the job, it’s always helpful to keep a small notebook that includes any emergency phone numbers, the hours you’ll be gone, rules for the house, allergies your child suffers from, and any other pertinent info such as bedtimes and whether your child needs naptime. Getting adequate rest is important for kids, especially little ones, and playing outside in the heat or swimming can be extremely tiring.

Go over it with the babysitter before their first day alone with your child, and give them a detailed tour of your house that includes the location of fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and any other safety equipment. If they’ll be taking your child to a pool or supervising water-play time at home, make sure they are certified in lifesaving techniques such as CPR; you can check with a local chapter of the American Red Cross for classes.

Educate

It’s always a good idea to teach your children about home safety even if they’ll have a sitter with them. This includes what to do in case of a fire and never operating the stove alone, never opening the door for a stranger, and how to deal with phone calls if you have a landline. Some parents prefer that the child not answer the phone at all, but if they are expecting a call from a friend--or from you--and need to answer, you can give them a basic script to use should the person on the other end be someone unexpected.

Plan

Whether your child will be staying alone or will have a caregiver, there are some things you can do that will ensure the safety of everyone involved. Always put weapons in a locked cabinet or safe and go over kitchen safety with your child. Get involved in their social lives a bit so you know who they are spending time with and talking to.

Teach them how to be safe with their online presence as well, so that when you aren’t home you can be assured that they won’t talk to strangers or give personal information out on the Web. It’s also a good idea to make sure your child is familiar with your neighborhood--and the safe places within it--if they will be outside the home at any time. Teach them the importance of never talking to strangers and where to go for help if they become injured or lost, such as a nearby store, fire department, or fast food restaurant.

Summertime can be loads of fun for kids, and while parents need to plan accordingly, it doesn’t have to be a stressful time.

Sean Morris is a former social worker turned stay-at-home dad. He knows what it’s like to juggle family and career. He did it for years until deciding to become a stay-at-home dad after the birth of his son. Though he loved his career in social work, he has found this additional time with his kids to be the most rewarding experience of his life. He began writing for LearnFit.org to share his experiences and to help guide anyone struggling to find the best path for their life, career, and/or family.