Red Cross Babysitting and Free “Home Alone” safety class

Above: 12-15 yr olds can to be confident babysitters, while 6-8th graders can learn how to stay safe without one. (Left photo from American Red Cross website; right posted to Flickr by Sky Eckstrom)

This spring, the Recreation Department is again offering two important course for adolescents moving into new phases of responsibility. One is for kids getting too old for a babysitter. The other is for ones who are ready to become one.

First up, for tweens/teens who think they are ready to watch over someone else, Rec is again offering a one-day American Red Cross Babysitting course. It takes place on Good Friday, March 25.

For $100, participants will learn skills important for any caregiver of infants and children to know.  The course is offered to 12-15 year olds, and runs from 9:00 am – 3:15 pm. (Participants should pack a lunch.)

Designed for the 12 year old and up who wishes to learn how to care for infants and children. The course is fun and fast paced with hands-on activities, exciting video, role-plays and lively discussions. You will learn to be the best babysitter on the block. You will gain confidence to make smart decisions and stay safe in any babysitting situation.

Topics to be covered are: supervise children and infants; perform basic child-care skills such as diapering and feeding; choose safe, age appropriate games and toys; handle bedtime and discipline issues; identify safety hazards and prevent injuries; care for common injuries and emergencies such as choking, burns, cuts, and bee stings; communicate effectively with parents; find and interview for babysitting jobs.

You will receive a Babysitter’s Training Handbook, Babysitter’s Training Emergency Reference Guide, and Babysitter’s Training CD-Rom.

Sign up through the Southborough Recreation Department online or using their program registration form.

And in May, the Town is again offering a free Home Alone safety class for residents in 6th through 8th grade. 

It will be held Friday May 13, 6:00-6:45 pm at the Senior Center. It’s free, so you may want to sign up soon through the Rec Dept website.

The class will equip tweens with the knowledge they need to avoid danger and handle emergencies.

Southborough Police Officer Kevin Landry will teach kids about:

• accident and fire protection
• first aid techniques
• internet safety
• techniques for answering the phone and door

The class includes a variety of teaching methods, including a video and role playing. 

Updated (3/17/16 7:56 AM): The Home alone safety  class is May 13