Program Teachers Home Alone Safety
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Freestone County has become a Registered Safe Sitter® Teaching Site and now offers the life and safety training program for young teens, ages 11-14. More than 600,000 graduates have completed Safe Sitter® at over 900 Teaching Sites across the country. Graduates learn how to prevent injuries and handle emergencies when home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting.
Injuries are the leading cause of death in children up to age 5. Safe Sitter® aims to reduce the number of avoidable and unintentional deaths among children being cared for by young teen caretakers. The program follows American Heart Association standards for rescue skills and instruction in first aid techniques from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The nationally recognized program was developed by pediatrician Dr. Patricia Keener after a colleague’s toddler choked to death while in the care of an adult sitter who didn’t know what to do. Students who complete a Safe Sitter® course gain confidence and learn how, why, and where injuries can happen so they can be prevented. They are taught infant and child choking rescue. They also learn how a child’s age affects the care they receive, how to prevent problem behavior, hot to run their own babysitting business, and issues in online and cellphone safety.
Students who graduate from a Safe Sitter® course receive a completion card that demonstrates they know how to use their skills in situations they encounter.
To sign-up for the “Safe Sitter / Safe at Home” course, please contact Kim Emmons at 903-389-3436.
First class is scheduled for Thursday, June 30th from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Freestone County Extension Office.
Registration fee is $35.
