What to Teach Your Nanny Before Leaving Her Alone With the Kids
From the archive. This post was first published on the original Green Eggs and Moms blog and is kept here as it was.
At some point in time you will leave your nanny at home alone with your kids.
While this might be nerve-wracking for first time parents or for those with newly hired nannies, there is a way to give you peace of mind.
Here’s how: train her to handle certain situations.
What to Teach Your Nanny
1. Who to call
First things first. Do you have a landline at home? If you do, make sure it can make calls to mobile phones in case your nanny has to reach you on your cellphone.
If you don’t, make sure your nanny has a cellphone with enough credits to make a call.
Give her a list of numbers to call
- Yours, your husband’s and other relatives’ too. Include office numbers if applicable.
- Emergency numbers: local police station, fire department, hospital, poison center, etc.
These numbers should be stored on a cellphone or written down and posted somewhere accessible.
2. Secure your home
This may sound silly but go over all the locks you have at home: gate, door, window or whatever other entry point you have (a hidden passageway perhaps?). Instruct her to check all points of entry and ensure they are locked after you leave.
3. How to answer the door
Criminals use gullible people. They can claim to be a repairman or even your relative and demand access to your home.
Instruct your nanny not to let anyone they don’t know in regardless of who they claim to be.
Also, if anyone comes to the door and asks probing questions about you or your family members, instruct your nanny not to give any information. (This is based on experience.)
4. How to administer CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver
Does your yaya know how to do these? If she doesn’t, enroll her in classes that teach them. It’s worth every penny.
5. How to treat minor cuts, bumps and nose bleeds
Teach your nanny how to treat the above mentioned. You may also write procedures down on paper; include pictures for visuals.
6. What to do during natural disasters
Does your yaya know what to do during an earthquake, hurricane or flood? Run emergency drills with her as well as the rest of your household. Monthly practice drills are highly recommended.
7. What to do during a fire
Does your nanny know how to use the fire extinguisher? If not, it’s time to show her how.
Note: Fire extinguishers are classified according to the type of fires they can be used for. For more information, here’s a quick guide on the different types of fire extinguishers.
Conclusion
Being prepared and informed is the best way to keep everyone in your home safe during times you are out. Go through this guide with your nanny to make sure your children are in good hands while you are away from home.
Have other things to add? Let moms know about other safety tips they should teach their nannies by leaving a comment below.
Photo from Creative Commons:Home alone – s_herman
Door – ezioman
Fire Extinguisher – samantha celera
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