While seeking to ensure that you leave the child in a protected environment, you have to teach your child some basic tips on how to stay away from strangers. You have to let your child know the difference between a ‘ good stranger’ and a ‘ bad stranger’. If your child is still too young to understand all of this, then instruct your sitter about what to do if threatened by the presence of a stranger in your absence.
Not all people who are unknown to your child are necessarily dangerous and you have to make your child as well as the sitter understand that. Examples of “good” strangers could be police officers, teachers, security guards, etc. Examples of bad strangers could be guys who insist on taking kids out for ice creams or sodas, while trying to separate them from the sitter.
The idea is to make your child aware of the fact that he or she is responsible for his or her own personal safety. You must make it a point to inform your sitter about the many perils of letting a stranger in to your house.
Ask her to refrain from talking to any stranger in a public place and to refuse any goody that a stranger may offer your child. These are important tips especially if you plan to hire a teenager as a babysitter.
In event of any danger, teach your sitter how to call for help or to approach the local police station. If the sitter or the child is manhandled, teach the sitter how to struggle with complete force and use any object that may come to her defense. The motive behind this is to ensure the safety of the sitter as well as your child.
