Safe Sitter program teaches life-saving techniques

KP Fire Department hosts class with potential babysitters

Hugh McMillan

Kids corner

Claudia Jones and Mark Adams, both Key Peninsula Fire Department volunteer Emergency Medical Technician instructors, spent last weekend with 11 girls ages 11-13 in the department’s Safe Sitter program.

The proud youngsters had their graduation ceremony Sunday with an audience of parents and siblings for whom they demonstrated their newly learned skills.

Adams said the Safe Sitter program began with a tragedy in Indianapolis in 1980.

“An 18-month-old girl died in a hospital emergency room,” he said. “Her death was caused by choking on food from her breakfast. The adult babysitter did not know how to handle the emergency.”

Dr. Patricia Keener, the doctor who cared for the toddler in the emergency room, was saddened by the child’s death, especially since she knew and worked with the child’s mother, a nurse.

Keener created a class to teach babysitters how to handle children’s emergencies. She offered it to young babysitters so they could learn good habits from the beginning. She taught the first class two weeks later at her children’s school.

Since 1980, Safe Sitter has grown from one class in Indiana to classes in all 50 states, plus England.

“I really liked Safe Sitters because it was fun and good,” said Erynn Alegrete of Key Peninsula Middle School. “You learn a lot about babysitting in this class. Mark Adams and Claudia Jones are the best Safe Sitter teachers. They really teach you a lot in a short amount of time. I thank them for their time and effort.”

Jocelynn Marrie Burt, 11, said preteens should take the class so they know what to do during an emergency.

“It is an awesome class, and I would have so many problems without it,” said Burt, of Harbor Ridge Middle School. “My mother signed me up for this class. I learned CPR, what to say and when to call 9-1-1, and how to deal with behavior problems.”

Chelsea Harder said she wanted to be able to babysit for a long time.

“Now I am much more prepared to be a responsible babysitter,” Harder said. “I love little ones and am very good with them. My parents think I should be older but, now that I have taken this course, (they) say I may be able to start babysitting soon.”

Harder said she previously hadn’t thought about the dangers of a baby choking or of a toddler who had stopped breathing.

“Now I know what to do if that happens, instead of just calling 9-1-1,” she said. “The skills I have learned are good to know, even if I don’t babysit.

“Safety parts of the class taught how not to advertise in public and to get permission from your parents. There is a lot of work in babysitting and the responsibility of another person’s child.

Each student received a bag and binder full of information and tips about caring for small children.

Breonna Rose of Key Peninsula Middle School said she learned CPR, among other things.

“I learned not to put my name on bulletin boards or on the Internet,” she said. “I learned activities I can do with kids.”

Keloree Simon, who is home-schooled, said she also learned how to keep kids — and herself — safe.

“My parents thought it would be good thing for me to learn, and it was,” Simon said. “My favorite thing was CPR. It would be interesting if I do save a life one day, using the techniques. I met some awesome people, and I loved the teachers, and I hope to see them again.”

Simon’s sister, Maisy, said it was a fun and exciting experience.

“Claudia and Mark were the best teachers ever,” Maisy said. “I want everyone to be safe when I am babysitting, and this class will help me do that.”

Kayla Gustafson, a sixth-grader at Harbor Ridge Middle School, said she had fun during the course.

“I recommended it to a lot of my friends, because I think it is important to know how to protect and save the lives of the children you may be watching,” Gustafson said. “I learned CPR and how to calm a child down after the parents leave, and to know what I should be responsible for and what the parents should be responsible for and not expect me to do things that could cause danger, like cooking or giving the kids showers.

“I also know now how important it is for me to protect myself and keep my self safe as a babysitter. Thanks, Safe Sitter! You have saved another child’s life.”

For more information, call Jones or Adams at 253-884-2222.

Hugh McMillan is a longtime freelance writer for The Peninsula Gateway. He can be reached at 253-884-3319 or by e-mail at hmcmnp1000@centurytel.net.