Inova Loudoun Hospital Offering Safe Sitter® Class on Thursday, August 18

Upcoming Safe Sitter® class offered at Inova Loudoun Hospital   

Leesburg, VA — August 15, 2016 — Inova Loudoun Hospital will offer a Safe Sitter^® class for girls and boys in grades 6-8 on Thursday, August 18 from 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Lansdowne Campus, 44045 Riverside Parkway, Leesburg.

The Safe Sitter course prepares students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting.

During the class, students will learn life-saving skills such as how to rescue someone who’s choking, and helpful information like what to do if there’s severe weather.  The lessons are filled with fun activities and role-playing exercises.  Students even get to use CPR manikins to practice CPR and choking rescue.

In addition, students will be taught:

• Safety Skills: how to prevent unsafe situations and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies.
• Child Care Skills: tips to manage behavior that will help them stay in control of themselves and the children in their care.  Students will also learn the ages and stages of child development, as well as practice diapering.
• First Aid & Rescue Skills : learning skills such as choking rescue and CPR is often students’ favorite part of the class.  Students also learn a system to help them assess and respond to injuries and illnesses.
• Life & Business Skills: the ability to screen jobs, discuss fees, and greet employers will set students up for success now and in the future.  Students practice these skills through various role-plays.

Safe Sitter^® is a medically accurate, competency-based, highly structured babysitting preparation course written by a pediatrician.

The cost is $70 and includes the student handbook and snacks during the day. Group discounts are available. Students are welcome to bring a packed lunch or buy lunch in the cafeteria.  To register your son or daughter or your child’s babysitter, call (703) 858-8818 or email charlene.martin@inova.org. Advanced registration is required.

Thousands of young adolescents across the country have been trained by Safe Sitter^® to handle life threatening emergencies.  During the course, students will get hands-on practice in basic lifesaving techniques so they are prepared to act in a crisis.  Safe sitters also receive helpful tips to make them more confident caregivers.  They learn safety precautions, how to understand children of different ages, and even the business of babysitting.

To successfully complete the Safe Sitter^® program, students must pass a practical and written test to show that they have mastered the key concepts and have the skills necessary to handle an emergency.

Media Contact: Reneé Brohard, APR, 540-454-3493

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Inova Loudoun Hospital, serving Loudoun County for over 100 years, is part of Inova, a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Visit us on the web at www.inova.org/ilh.