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complete Safe Sitter Course
This year; fourteen young ladies and gentlemen attended and passed the Safe Sitter Course which SMH has been sponsoring for over 25 years. The goal of Safe Sitter is to reduce the number of accidental and preventable deaths among children being cared for by babysitters. All information is medically accurate and is taught by trained Safe Sitter instructors; Brenda Kaschmitter and Cheri Holthaus. During the course, students get hands-on practice in basic lifesaving techniques so they are prepared to act in a crisis. Safe Sitter participants also receive helpful tips to make them more confident caregivers. They learn safety and security precautions, such as what to do if a stranger comes to the door and when and how to call for help. They also learn some very helpful behavioral tips such as; distraction, if-then, making a game, choices and taking a breaking/staring over. “I learned a lot, I think the behavioral tips will come in really handy when babysitting; especially when babysitting my younger brother and sister,” commented one student. “It was a lot of fun to learn how to save a life” said another student. “I think the CPR and choking sessions are really important and I feel I will be able to remember the skills if I need them.” 
The 14 graduates of this year’s Safe Sitter class along with coordinators Cheri Holthaus and Brenda Kaschmitter. Photo provided by Brenda Kaschmitter. |
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