Safety Checklist Before Hiring Home Support Staff

Safety is shared between careful hiring and sensible household practice. This checklist covers both. For the wider hiring process, start with how to choose a reliable domestic helper.

Before hiring

• Identity: see an original government identity document and keep a copy, with consent.
• Address: note the current and permanent address.
• Emergency contact: a family member's name and phone number.
• Work history: where possible, speak to a previous household.
• Photograph: a recent photo for your records, with consent.
• Police verification: many city police departments offer tenant and domestic help verification. Check your local police website or station.

When you hire through Maidvy, identity and available document verification is carried out as applicable before deployment.

What verification can and cannot do

Verification confirms who someone is and what records are available. It cannot predict behaviour. Be wary of anyone who promises "100% safe" staff. Good practice at home still matters.

At home

• Keep cash, jewellery and important papers locked away.
• Decide who holds keys and how they are returned.
• Agree rules for visitors, especially for live-in helpers.
• Inform your society security of the helper's name and working hours.
• Keep emergency numbers, including doctors and neighbours, on the fridge.

With children

• Agree who can collect children from school.
• Write down allergies, routines and what to do in an emergency.
• Medicines only as parents instruct.
• Many parents use home cameras; if you do, tell the helper. Do not place cameras in private areas such as their room or the bathroom.

See baby caretaker vs nanny to pick the right childcare role.

With elders and patients

• Share a written list of routines, mobility needs and doctor contacts.
• Clinical tasks such as injections or wound care need a qualified nurse. Attendants provide non-medical support. See elder care attendant vs home nurse.

Safety for the helper too

A safe home is safe for everyone in it. Helpers should never be asked to do hazardous work, such as cleaning exterior windows at height, handle unsafe electrical work, or work excessive hours without rest. Families must not withhold the helper's documents. These are part of Maidvy's service terms.

If something goes wrong

1. In an emergency, call 112.
2. For a concern about a Maidvy helper, contact your Relationship Manager or Maidvy support immediately.
3. Keep a written note of what happened and when.

Online and digital safety

• Do not share OTPs, banking PINs or passwords with anyone working in your home.
• Be cautious about handing over your phone or cards for payments or deliveries.
• If the helper uses your Wi-Fi, consider a separate guest network.

Safety for live-in arrangements

For a live-in helper, agree visitor rules, share the society's security process and ensure their room has a door or curtain for privacy. Keep a copy of their emergency contact. Read our accommodation checklist and what 24-hour live-in means.

Quick reference checklist

1. Identity document seen and copy kept with consent.
2. Address and emergency contact recorded.
3. Local police verification considered.
4. Valuables and documents secured.
5. Keys, visitors and child pick-up rules agreed.
6. Emergency numbers displayed.
7. Helper's own safety and documents respected.

Maidvy arranges domestic help in Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune and Kolkata. These are operating service areas; Maidvy's registered office is in Bengaluru.

Emergency numbers to keep visible

• 112: national emergency number.
• Your family members' mobile numbers.
• Your doctor, paediatrician or nearest hospital.
• A trusted neighbour.
• Society security desk.

Show the helper where this list is and how to use the phone or intercom in an emergency.

Fire and kitchen safety

Show the helper how to switch off the gas cylinder and main power, where the fire extinguisher is, and how to exit the building safely. These simple steps protect everyone in the home.

Frequently asked questions

Does Maidvy verify domestic helpers?

Yes. Identity and available document verification is carried out as applicable before deployment. Verification reduces risk but cannot guarantee future conduct.

Should I do police verification for my maid?

Many city police departments offer domestic help verification. It is a sensible additional step; check your local police website or station.

Can I install cameras at home?

Many families do. Tell the helper, and never place cameras in private areas such as their room or the bathroom.

Is it safe to give my maid house keys?

That is a family decision. If you do, agree who holds keys, record it, and change the arrangement if the helper leaves.

What should my helper do in an emergency?

Call 112 if needed, then call the family. Keep emergency numbers visible and explain them on the first day.