Child Safety Rules All Nannies Should Follow

Keeping children safe is one of the most important responsibilities of any domestic worker. Whether in Kenya or anywhere in the world, parents expect that a house help understands basic child safety rules and follows them consistently. Children are curious, active, and trusting, which means they need constant supervision and a safe environment at home.

In this article, we explain the most important child safety rules house helps should follow every day. The goal is to educate both nannies and employers so that expectations are clear and consistent. This guide is written in simple English and is suitable for training house helps, building standard operating procedures in homes, and improving trust between families and their workers.

Read Related: How to Introduce a House Help to Your Home

Domestic worker receiving professional nanny training

Why Child Safety Matters in Every Home

Children depend on adults for protection. They cannot always identify danger, avoid risks, or make safe decisions. A small mistake—such as an unlocked window, unattended boiling pots, or a child left alone in the bathroom—can lead to serious injury.

House helps who understand and follow child safety rules help ensure:

Fewer accidents at home
Peace of mind for the employer
A professional and trustworthy working relationship
Better development and emotional security for the child

This is why every household should have clear safety policies, and every nanny should know and follow them.

1. Never Leave Children Unsupervised

This is the number one rule in child care.

Children, especially babies and toddlers, require constant supervision. A house help should:

Always know where the child is
Stay within hearing and viewing distance
Avoid leaving a child alone, even for “one minute”
Not depend on older siblings to supervise younger kids

Situations where supervision is especially critical:

During bath time
At meal times
Near water, including buckets
Near pets
On balconies or rooftops
In the kitchen
On staircases
When playing outdoors

One second of distraction can lead to a lifetime of regret. House helps should also avoid multitasking during active care—if the child is awake, their attention should be on the child first.

2. Keep Hazardous Items Out of Reach

Homes are full of everyday items that can seriously harm children if taken lightly. A safe nanny keeps all dangerous items where children cannot reach them.

Examples include:

Medicine

Painkillers, antibiotics, and supplements should:

Never be left in drawers or countertops
Be stored in closed medicine cabinets
Only be given to a child with the employer’s approval

Cleaning Supplies

Detergents, bleach, toilet cleaners, air fresheners, polishes, and similar products:

Should stay locked in cupboards
Must never be transferred to food or drink containers
Must not be handled near children

Sharp Objects

These include knives, scissors, razors, needles, and open tins. They should be:

Kept in kitchen drawers
Stored high or locked away
Washed and stored immediately after use

Alcohol and Cigarettes

If present in the home, the nanny must ensure:

They are out of sight and unreachable
They are never used in front of children
Children never play with used bottles, lighters, or cigarette packs

Small Objects

Buttons, coins, beads, nuts, batteries, and beads pose a choking risk and should be kept away from younger children.

3. Create a Safe Play Environment

Play is important for learning, but play should not be risky. A responsible house help ensures that:

Play areas are clean
Toys are age-appropriate
The floor is dry and free of clutter
Electrical sockets are covered
No sharp edges or broken toys are around

Outdoor play should be supervised, especially if there are:

Open gates
Roads nearby
Pools
Wells
Construction materials
Pets

If the home allows children to play outdoors, the house help must stay present and alert—not on the phone and not distracted.

4. Follow Safe Kitchen Practices

The kitchen is one of the most dangerous places for a child. Therefore, house helps must observe strict safety measures:

Never allow small children into the kitchen while cooking

Stoves, fire, boiling liquids, and hot surfaces can cause severe burns.

Turn pot handles inwards

This prevents children from pulling pots and pan handles.

Never leave cooking unattended

Even when the heat is low.

Keep matches, lighters, and gas valves locked

Fire incidents happen in seconds—prevention is key.

Be cautious with electrical appliances

Ensure:

They are unplugged when not in use
Cords do not hang where children can pull them

For homes using gas cylinders, the nanny should:

Know how to turn gas on and off
Report gas leaks immediately
Ensure proper ventilation when cooking

Nanny supervising a child safely at home

a Nanny at work

5. Prioritize Bathroom Safety

Bathrooms present multiple risks—slips, drowning, and burns. Child safety rules for bathrooms include:

Never leave a child in the bathtub alone
Ensure the floor is dry
Keep shampoos and razors out of reach
Use warm—not hot—water for bathing
Always empty buckets and basins after use
Close bathroom doors when not in use

Even two inches of water can drown a toddler. No child should be left alone around standing water.

6. Safe Sleeping Rules

Many accidents happen when babies are sleeping. A house help should:

Place babies on their backs to sleep
Ensure the baby mattress is firm
Avoid pillows for small infants
Keep soft toys and loose blankets out of the crib
Never leave babies sleeping on sofas or adult beds alone
Check frequently while the child sleeps

These rules reduce the risk of suffocation and falls.

7. Prevent Falls and Injuries

House helps should always take steps to reduce the risk of falls. This includes:

Keeping floors dry
Picking up toys and clutter
Closing stair gates
Not placing chairs near windows
Not letting children jump from furniture
Carrying babies carefully on stairs

For homes with balconies, house helps should:

Never allow a child outside alone
Ensure grills are secure
Keep furniture away from the balcony fence

Even small falls can lead to head injuries, broken bones, or long-term medical issues.

8. Be Careful With Food and Feeding

Food safety is also child safety. Mistakes during feeding can lead to choking, poisoning, or stomach infections.

Feeding Rules for House Helps

Wash hands before feeding
Cut food into small, manageable sizes
Sit with the child during feeding
Avoid giving peanuts, whole grapes, or hard candies to toddlers
Keep the child seated—not running or playing while eating

Hygiene Rules

Wash fruits and vegetables well
Store cooked and raw foods separately
Heat milk before giving
Use clean utensils
Check expiry dates on packaged foods

For children with allergies, the nanny should:

Know the child’s allergies
Know what foods to avoid
Inform the parent immediately if a reaction occurs

9. Emergency Preparedness

Every professional house help should know what to do during emergencies. This includes:

Know Emergency Contacts

A nanny should have quick access to:

Parent phone numbers
Nearest hospital contact
Fire and ambulance numbers
A trusted neighbor or relative (if applicable)

Learn Basic First Aid

Even basic skills can save a life before medical help arrives, such as:

What to do for burns
How to respond to choking
How to handle minor wounds
What to do if a child faints

Stay Calm

Children panic if adults panic. A house help who stays calm can manage the situation better and get help faster.

Report Immediately

Any injury, no matter how small, should be reported to the employer.

Read: 8 Fundamental Rights of House Help Workers

10. Protect Children Emotionally and Mentally

Child safety is not just physical—it also includes emotional well-being. A responsible nanny:

Does not shout at children
Does not beat, pinch, or threaten them
Speaks kindly and respectfully
Keeps the child away from violent movies or content
Encourages good behavior with positive reinforcement

Children should feel safe, valued, and cared for—not afraid.

11. Ensure Child Protection From Strangers

A house help should understand that not everyone is safe around children. Rules include:

Do not allow strangers into the home without permission
Do not let children leave the compound with unknown people
Do not share family information with outsiders
Never leave a child with delivery personnel, boda boda riders, or neighbors unless confirmed by the parent
Protect the child from conversations or situations that feel uncomfortable

If the house help ever suspects abuse—physical, emotional, or sexual—they must inform the employer immediately.

12. Digital and Media Safety

Modern homes also require protection from digital risks. A knowledgeable house help:

Limits screen time according to the parents’ rules
Ensures children only watch age-appropriate content
Does not give phones to very young children as a permanent distraction
Never takes photos or videos of children for social media

Privacy is part of safety.

13. Communication With Employers Is Key

Good communication prevents misunderstandings and improves child safety. House helps should:

Report issues early
Ask when unsure
Follow instructions consistently
Update parents about the child’s day
Share concerns without fear

Employers should also create a safe space where the nanny feels respected and supported.

Conclusion on Child Safety Rules

Every household needs clear child safety rules that guide how nannies care for children. When followed, these rules:

Prevent accidents
Build trust
Improve caregiving quality
Keep children healthy, happy, and secure

Whether in Kenya or anywhere in the world, a house help who observes these safety standards is an asset to any family.

Parents should train their nanny well, provide written safety guidelines, and communicate openly. House helps should follow instructions, stay alert, and understand that child safety is a daily responsibility—not a one-time lesson.

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