Itasca, IL – The National Safety Council today announced the launch of a new program to train babysitters. BLAST! (Babysitter Lessons and Safety Training) is a comprehensive, fun and interactive safety training for potential babysitters aged 11 to 15, parents of the prospective babysitters or parents considering hiring babysitters.
"Taking care of small children is a vitally important obligation for young people, yet many are ill-prepared to take on this important task," said National Safety Council President Alan McMillan. "This training will prepare young people by giving them the skills and self-confidence they need to properly care for children and respond to sudden emergencies as a babysitter. It also will help them, their parents and the parents of small children hiring them to better understand the necessary skills, responsibilities and limitations of babysitters."
The training program includes a "virtual house" that helps identify potential safety hazards in each room of a typical home. BLAST! is the only babysitter training program that includes training on Pediatrics First Aid and Home Safety. The program also includes helpful information on how to set up and run a babysitting business, babysitting and childcare basics, Pediatrics CPR and having fun with children.
The program can be taken through self-instruction using a CD-ROM or in a classroom setting, and can be completed in as little as 4 hours. A certified teacher is not required. The program is available by calling the National Safety Council at 800-621-7619 or by contacting a local National Safety Council chapter.
The self-instruction program, priced at $34.95, contains a CD-ROM, a Student Workbook and a Certificate of Completion. The In-Class program, priced at $74.95, contains a CD-ROM, 10 Student Manuals and an Instructor's Manual.
The National Safety Council, America's safety and health leader for 90 years, is a non-governmental, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. To learn more about the Council, go to the home page at http://www.nsc.org.
For Immediate Release, April 25, 2003
Media Contact: National Safety Council 630-775-2307 media@nsc.org
