Sitter Safety Quiz

Q1. What are the first three things you should have written down before the parents leave?

• The home WiFi password, TV remote location, and bedtime routine
• The home address (for 911), parent cell numbers, and emergency contact numbers
• The children's names, ages, and favorite snacks
• The nearest hospital, grocery store, and pharmacy

Q2. You smell smoke while babysitting. What is your first action?

• Wait to see if the smell goes away on its own
• Call the parents immediately to ask what to do
• Locate the source, evacuate the children and call 911
• Search the house alone to find the source first

Q3. If a conscious child is experiencing a severe airway obstruction and cannot speak, breathe, or cough forcefully, what is the correct immediate action?

• Encourage them to keep coughing forcefully and monitor them closely.
• Direct a bystander to call 911, and perform cycles of 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged.
• Offer them a small drink of water to help wash the obstruction down the esophagus.
• Lay the child supine (on their back) and monitor their airway until normal breathing resumes.

Q4. A 4-year-old wants to play by the pool, but the 6-year-old wants to stay inside. How do you manage this safely?

• Let the 6-year-old stay inside while you take the 4-year-old to the pool
• Keep both children together in a safe area — 4-year-olds cannot be left alone near water
• Have the 6-year-old watch the 4-year-old at the pool's edge
• Allow the 4-year-old at the pool since you'll be nearby

Q5. A 3-year-old is about to put a small toy part in their mouth. What is your first step?

• Ignore it — young children naturally explore with their mouths
• Yell "No!" firmly to startle them away from it
• Calmly take the toy away, explain it's unsafe, and offer a safe alternative
• Wait to see if they swallow it before acting

Q6. When is it acceptable for a child to talk to a stranger at the door?

• If the child recognizes them from school or the neighborhood
• If the stranger says they are a friend of the parents
• Never — the sitter should handle all interactions with unknown visitors
• If the stranger appears friendly and non-threatening

Q7. If you notice a child receives a friend request from someone they don't know, what should you do?

• Ignore it — it's not your place to get involved
• Tell the child to accept it since it's probably someone they know
• Remind the child not to accept it, decline or block the request, and notify the parents
• Ask the child who the person is, then decide together whether to accept

Q8. What should you ask yourself before posting anything online?

• "Will this get a lot of likes or shares?"
• "Is the lighting and composition good?"
• "Would I say this in person?"
• "Is this interesting or entertaining enough to share?"

Q9. How long do photos you post online stay there?

• Only until you delete them — platforms permanently remove deleted content
• About 30 days before they are automatically removed
• Potentially forever — they can be copied, reposted, or screenshotted
• Only as long as your account remains active

Q10. Are you allowed to take pictures of the children you are babysitting?

• Yes, as long as you keep them private
• No — you must have explicit permission from the parents before taking any photos
• Yes, if the children are okay with it
• Yes, for your personal memory only

Q11. Assuming you have the parents' permission to take pictures, should you post them on social media?

• Yes, if your account is set to private
• Yes, as long as you tag the family so they can see it
• No — even with permission to take photos, you should never post them on social media
• Yes, if the parents follow your account

Q12. What is the best way to handle an upset child who cannot explain why they are crying?

• Tell them to stop crying and use their words
• Remain calm, comfort them, and try to identify the need
• Put them in their room until they can calm down
• Call the parents immediately

Q13. A good reason for canceling a babysitting job is:

• A better social opportunity came up
• You don't feel like going out that evening
• You have come down with the flu or have a family emergency
• The weather is worse than expected