Pictured:  A Safe Sitter participant practices CPR on the mannequin 

Eighteen students graduated from the University of Illinois Extension’s Safe Sitters program after two days of instruction and hands-on learning.  The program was held at the Extension office in Taylorville. The 11 to 13 year old students completed a 13 hour, two-day course taught by specially trained instructors with medical and child development backgrounds. 

The curriculum for the course included injury prevention, rescue breathing, care for a choking infant and child, accident management, first aid, the business of babysitting, basic childcare and safety for the sitter.

After the students received the information from the instructors, they had to pass a written and practical exam which included case studies, rescue breathing, care for a choking infant and child questions.  A ceremony was held the final day with the students and parents.