Safety Tips for Hiring Domestic helper.

It is common to have a maid, cook, driver, caregiver or nanny at home as it helps us run our own lives better. But, while we do this, we are allowing strangers into our homes. Basic Safety Precautions should be taken when you have a Helper at home around you. We are listing some of the below:

• Get a background check done before you hire anyone. If possible get an address check also done.
• Don’t discuss personal or financial matters in the presence of the helpers, be it your driver, maid, cook or babysitter. Hearing about money when they do not have it can lead to frustrations, and even temptations. It also gives them a clue about how to steal, if they are dishonest.
• Never leave your spare house keys where they can be picked up by anyone and duplicated.
• Don’t leave the home keys in the car where the driver can easily find them.

• Take the onus of keeping your valuables safe yourself. If you leave them lying around you are inviting people to steal them. This is nearly the same as when we find something valuable on the road, with no one around and be tempted to keep it. 
• If you use a driver to travel to and from work, be careful not to talk about your colleagues, your salary, or company reports in the presence of your driver. It is common for drivers to gossip with other drivers and office staff when they have nothing else to do while waiting for you at the office.
• Never argue or fight with your family members in the presence of your helpers. Sort out your differences behind closed doors. Even if this includes scolding your child! You don’t want your bedroom stories to be circulated in the public domain.
• Do not allow any of the relatives or friends of your servant to visit your house in your absence or presence. If they have visitors, encourage them to meet in your building lobby or garden. If they do come inside the house, they should be restricted to an area, and not be roaming around. 

• Last but not the least: Treat your helpers in a humane way, with respect. Talk to them about their well being. If you can’t wish them on their special days, at least talk nicely to them. Many times crimes are committed by Helpers just to get even with the employer who insulted them. Also, teach your children to treat them with respect.