Almost every nanny contract includes a clause requiring the nanny to be CPR / First Aid certified within 3 to 6 weeks of employment. Often in the hustle and bustle of getting settled into a new job, neither the nanny or the employer makes getting the certification a priority and it’s gets buried in the to do list. While being prepared for an emergency is always important, it’s especially important during the summer when kids and caregivers are playing at the pool, at the lake, and at the shore.
Even with the best nanny paying full attention, accidents happen. A child walking by a pool can trip and fall in. A child who’s been swimming for years can get a cramp and quickly become exhausted trying to stay above water. A child playing happily in the sand can suddenly be pulled in by a wave. Often the factor that will make the difference between life and death is an adult who can rescue the child from the water and effectively perform CPR.
So if you have a nanny, make sure she has a current certification in CPR. (You put it in your nanny contract for a reason.) If your nanny will be with your child near water where a lifeguard isn’t on duty, make sure your nanny is a competent swimmer, has training in how to rescue a child from the water and you have water rescue devices close by.
If you don’t have this as a requirement in your nanny contract, now is the perfect time to add it.
It’s also a good idea for parents to become CPR certified too. Accidents can happen no matter who’s on duty.