Do you know a babysitter? Tell them about the national Safe Sitter^® program at Auburn Regional Medical Center (ARMC), which helps young babysitters gain confidence in their responsibilities and learn how to keep their charges safe.

Safe Sitter is a one-day class for adolescents ages 11 to 13 who learn the basics of babysitting and participate in role-playing exercises. Instructors teach participants the basics of child care, first aid, rescue breathing, what to do when an infant or child starts choking, when to call for emergency help and how to run a babysitting business.

"This program helps families in our community," says Chris McGrath, LPN, RCP, a clinical educator at ARMC. "Our Safe Sitter instructors help prepare adolescents for babysitting by giving them information that can help them nurture young children and keep them safe. Parents who hire babysitters who complete the program can have more peace of mind knowing that their children's caretakers have participated in a nationally recognized babysitting program."

ARMC offers the classes several times each year. You can encourage your regular babysitters to attend the class or hire sitters who have completed the program. The Safe Sitter program costs $45, which covers all materials, supplies, snacks, a textbook and a practical exam. The next Safe Sitter programs will be held on July 19 and August 23. Preregistration is required.

Become a Safe Sitter^® -- Sign Up Now!
For more information on the Safe Sitter^® program or to register for the next class, please call 253-833-7711, extension 1366 or send an e-mail to emergencymedicaltraining@msn.com.

202 North Division St., Auburn, WA 98001 (253) 833-7711, FAX: (253) 939-2376