{"id":4464,"date":"2014-04-14T11:06:03","date_gmt":"2014-04-14T15:06:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gtm.com\/household\/?p=4464"},"modified":"2021-07-14T12:26:55","modified_gmt":"2021-07-14T16:26:55","slug":"home-safety-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gtm.com\/household\/home-safety-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Home Safety for Kids and Nannies"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"homeHome safety is an important concern year-round, but with summer not too far away, more children will be running around both inside and outside the home. One way to make things easier on your nanny or other caregiver is to make your home \u2013 your nanny\u2019s workplace – a healthy and safe environment.<\/p>\n

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) ensures that employers provide employees with a workplace that is free from recognized hazards that cause or could cause serious harm or death to employees. It is applicable to everyone except sole proprietors and those employing family members in a business or on a farm. Under OSHA, employers must provide safety training to employees, inform employees about hazardous chemicals to which they may be exposed, and notify regulators about workplace accidents. A good practice is to keep a written safety policy in the employee handbook, which could offer instructions on where the house\u2019s first aid kit is kept, a list of emergency service telephone numbers, protective gear required for specific tasks, and an employee requirement to report all health and safety issues immediately to the employer.<\/p>\n

It is wise to familiarize your nanny with any home emergency procedures (such as fire) and provide a list of medical personnel for each family member, especially if there is a child with special needs or a senior with specific medical issues. All homes should have a family fire escape plan that you should review with your nanny, as well as your family, on a regular basis. See www.firesafety.gov<\/a> for advice on fire safety. If you live in a state where there are hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes, your nanny should be informed of any special procedures.<\/p>\n

A new nanny in the home should be given a list of emergency contacts; this should be easily located in the house for everyone to see. The nanny should keep a copy with her at all times (or save the numbers in her cell phone contacts) when leaving the house with the children. The list of emergency contacts should include:<\/p>\n