If you need to cancel, give the parents as much warning as possible.
Don't babysit if you are ill.
Always give you parents the name, address and telephone number of the family
you are babysitting for. Make sure they know what time you are due home and
also how you are getting home. If there are any changes to the time that you are expected home,
make sure that your parents are aware of the changes.
Do not leave the house at any stage while the parents are out.
Stay awake all the time you are babysitting
Make sure that you can hear the children at all times.
Don't smoke or drink
If you are babysitting a baby and there is a baby alarm, make sure that
it is on.
Make a quiet check on babies every half hour and on older children every hour.
Only use the telephone in a crisis or emergency.
Respect prior agreements made with parents about the use of facilities.
Unless previously agreed do not invite or allow your own friends to come
to the house where you are babysitting.
Respect the privacy of the parents and their home.
Make sure you, the children and the home is safe while you are there.
Leave the home as it was when you arrived
If the child makes inappropriate comments or physical gestures make sure
you inform their parents.
If you are not happy babysitting for a particular family, talk to your parents,
or someone who may be able to advise you. Don't return to a family who does
not respect your rights as a babysitter. Trust your instincts.
If you feel unhappy or uncomfortable about a situation that arises while you are babysitting, either phone your parents, the child's parents if they are contactable, one of the other contacts the parents have given you or the Gardai.
Never compromise your own safety.
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