Setting up Emergency Contacts While At Work

When someone else is looking after your children, it's vital to consider some very important safety tips. Whether you have a childminder, nanny, babysitter or simply a friend picking your kids up to and from school, they need to know how to respond in an emergency situation. That can mean if something happens to the kids, your home – or to you.

Safeguarding your Children's Welfare

• Have multiple emergency work numbers available.
• Give details of a neighbour or friend to take over should an emergency arise.
• Set up emergency instructions.
• Supply lists of contact numbers of the local fire station, police etc.
• Be first aid-savvy.
• Start with common sense.
• Have local phone numbers ready.
• Keep their school informed.

Have multiple emergency work numbers available. Whoever is looking after your children should have not only you and your partner's work and mobile numbers, but also the full name and addresses of your workplaces, the main switchboard numbers and the name of someone at your office who can act in your absence. In addition, anyone in your home should know its layout, as well as what areas may be off-limits to children.

Give details of a neighbour or friend to take over should an emergency arise. If something happens to you at work or if you are uncontactable, they should have the names and multiple phone numbers of someone who lives locally who can act in an emergency. This may also mean someone to look after the other children if one is taken to the doctor's or hospital.

Set up emergency instructions. If your children have allergies or other specific special needs that may need to be addressed, make sure the person in charge has complete and full instructions about what to do should an emergency arise. If they are taking medication, they should be fully aware of how much needs to be taken and when.

Supply lists of contact numbers of the local fire station, police etc. Any other contacts that may be necessary should also be supplied. They can always dial 999 but that is not always the best option.

Be first aid-savvy. Anyone looking after your children in your home should know where the first aid kit is, which you should have well-stocked. You should also have a fire extinguisher and, if applicable, fire blanket and rope. They should also have basic first aid qualifications. If they are looking after your children in their homes, the same should apply, so check carefully.

Start with common sense. Babysitters in your home should be well-versed in the art of not answering the door to strangers and following basic safety precautions. Many accidents or incidents can be prevented before they start with common sense.

Have local phone numbers ready. Give your childminder etc a list of possible replacement contacts should they suddenly fall ill, or have to deal with another emergency. If your babysitter has to leave suddenly to take care of a family emergency of her own, you will need someone to look after your children in her absence. Have the contact numbers of a local friend or neighbour, or even family member, who lives nearby and can step in quickly to fill the void.

Keep their school informed. If you plan to travel a lot for work or have several different people looking after your children, it is imperative that their school be kept up-to-date with your movements, and also know how to contact someone in your absence. If both you and your partner are out-of-town, the school will need to know who to get hold of at any given time, if needed.

Making sure your children are well looked after while you are at work and well taken care of should an emergency arise is important. With adequate preparation and a little forethought, you can ensure your kids are in good hands.