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Maybe you have been babysitting forever and have lots of neighborhood families on your list. Maybe you just landed your very first job babysitting your little cousins. Whether you are an old pro or just starting out, babysitting is a fun way to spend time with kids while making some extra money.

Being a babysitter is all about responsibility. As long as you are on the job, you are in charge. Not only do you have to make sure the kids are happy, you have to make sure they are safe and that their needs are taken care of. If you are new to babysitting, check out this guide to learn how to be the best babysitter around. Been babysitting forever and want to brush up on your skills? Read on for a quick refresher course.

Rule #1: Be Prepared

"Be prepared" is the motto for anyone who wants to know what to do in an emergency. Most babysitting jobs are a breeze and nothing goes wrong — except maybe for an occasional fight over a toy. But for the rare times when an emergency does happen, you want to be ready to handle it. Being prepared means making sure you know the right phone numbers and contact information, medical information about the kids' you are babysitting, and lifesaving information like fire safety procedures and CPR.

Emergency Numbers:

A lot of parents keep emergency numbers posted by the phone or on the fridge. They should include the following numbers. If you do not see them, ask:

·         the local emergency number (911 in most areas, but check to be sure);

·         the local fire department number (if different from the local emergency number);

·         the local police department number (if different from the local emergency number);

·         the local poison control center.

You also want to ask parents to leave these other important numbers:

·         their cell phone numbers;

·         their work phone numbers;

·         if going out, the number for the place where they will be;

·         phone numbers for a few trusted neighbors;

·         phone numbers of any relatives who live in the area;

·         the phone number for the children's pediatrician.

Ask parents which number to call first. If there is a serious medical emergency, the best practice is to call 911 first. If it is a less serious situation, such as cuts or scrapes, parents may want you to call them before calling the doctor. Find out what their preferences are.

Medical Information:

You want parents to show you where the first aid kit is, or where they keep band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and an EpiPen. You also need to know any information about a child's medical conditions, such as asthma, seizures, or allergies, and how they should be handled. Ask these questions:

·         Do I have to give your child any medications? If so, what is it, when should the child take it, and how much?

·         Do any kids have asthma? If so, what do I need to do in case of an asthma attack?

·         Do any kids have allergies? If so, to what? And what do I need to do to prevent or manage them?

For example, if a child is allergic to bee stings, you want to know where the parents keep the kid's Epinephrine Pen. The parent should also show you how to use it — it is easy if you know how to do it.

If there is anything you are uncomfortable being responsible for, let the parent know before accepting the job. If you do not feel informed well enough to do a good job, this might not be the right situation for you. There are lots of babysitting jobs available and you should not have to feel uncomfortable.

Fire Safety Procedures:

Ask parents to write down their full home address. It may sound silly to ask where you are, but it is so basic that many people forget to make sure they know. You may know it is the second blue house on the left, but that will not help the fire department in an emergency. It is also easy to forget small details like a street name or number when you are caught up in an emergency! Better have it written down.

Make sure the smoke alarms in the house have been tested. Parents can never test them too often, and that way you know they are working for your own peace of mind. Finally, ask the parents to show you where they keep fire extinguishers. Just in case.

Lifesaving Techniques:

It is a good idea to learn basic first aid (which includes the Heimlich maneuver for choking) and infant and child CPR before embarking on your babysitting career. Not only will these skills help you feel more confident, they could give you an edge over other babysitters. Parents really like these qualifications.

Check with your local library, community center, YMCA, or American Red Cross Chapter. They often offer babysitting courses that include training in these areas.

Rule #2: Know What to Expect

Every family you babysit for will be a little different. Having an idea of what to expect can make your babysitting experience safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

Know the Family and the Neighborhood: It can feel strange to be in charge of an unfamiliar house, so help yourself feel more secure by locking windows and doors after the parents leave. Do not answer the door to strangers and never tell telephone callers that you are a babysitter and alone with the kids. If there is an answering machine at the house where you are babysitting, use it to screen callers you do not know.

Know the Kids You Will Be Babysitting: Of course, babysitting a 2-month-old baby is pretty different from babysitting a 10-year-old kid. Know the ages of the kids ahead of time. If you do not feel comfortable babysitting a newborn, for example, do not take the job.

Know How Many Kids You Will Be Babysitting: You think you are babysitting for the 2-year-old twins, but when you arrive you also see their two 3-year-old cousins and a 4-year-old neighbor’s boy whose mom left to run to the supermarket. Perhaps you are not ready to take care of five small kids at once. Most adults aren't! So ask ahead of time how many kids there will be — including friends and relatives. If you arrive and there are too many kids, say something to the parents. They may let you call a friend to help, or they may call and ask another babysitter to come and join you. If you get loaded up with too many kids again, cross the family off your babysitting list.

Eating, Bathing, Homework, and Other Fun Stuff: You need to know exactly what is expected of you. It is not unusual for parents to want you to feed the kids, give them a bath, or help them with their homework before you put them to bed. Plus, make sure you know if the kids have any special requirements. For example, parents should tell you about any food allergies or nutrition needs a child has before you start whipping up dinner.

Rule #3: Stay Focused on the Kids at All Times

It does not matter how short or how long your babysitting assignment is. As long as you are in charge of kids, your job is to babysit — and nothing else. Naturally, this does not mean that you cannot go to the bathroom. But otherwise, you should be with the kids every minute they are awake. It can be pretty tempting to leave them in one room while you watch TV in another room, but kids can get into trouble pretty quickly. Keeping an eye on everyone means you will less likely need those emergency numbers.

This rule is especially important if you are giving kids a bath. Never leave a child unattended in the tub, even for a minute. Small children may not drown in a few inches of water, but they may slip on a wet tub surface and fall backwards or onto a tile floor, and you do not want to be responsible for that head trauma. If the phone rings, let the answering machine pick it up or let the caller call back.

Once the kids are in bed, you are free to do whatever you want — within the parents' guidelines. Most parents will say it is fine to watch TV or a movie or to talk on the phone. Just remember to keep calls from the family's phone local and short, in case the parents try to call and check on the kids.

Even if a child is in bed, be aware that he or she may need you. It is a good idea to check on the kids every hour or so. Nightmares, bad cough, or a drink of water — anything that wakes a kid up and gets him or her out of bed is something you need to be there for.

After a night of successful babysitting, you will have more than extra cash and a great referral. You will have the satisfaction of a job well done — and you will learn more about what is involved in taking care of kids. Use it on your next babysitting job!

Rule #4. Try To Have Some Fun with the Kids