As a responsible parent you hire a babysitter to ensure the safety of your children when you are not at home. Not only do you want a babysitter that is mature enough to handle an emergency, but also someone who likes children and will entertain them in fun and educational ways.

But how can you be sure the teenager you hire has the qualities you are looking for?

“Easy. You hire a teenager who as completed a babysitters training course with the Bermuda Red Cross,” says health, safety and disaster management co-ordinator for the Bermuda Red Cross, Petra Spencer-Arscott.

Teenagers leave this two-day course knowing how to deal with everyday tasks, like changing a diaper, as well as more complex situations, like what to do in the event of a medical emergency.

This course is offered throughout the year during all school breaks, explains Mrs. Spencer-Arscott, and she urges any potential babysitter, aged 12-16, to participate.

However, while they may have passed the course, she does not recommend allowing a 12-year-old to baby-sit a child on their own, instead suggesting they opt to work as mothers’ aids: “In fact, I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving a 14-year-old alone with a brand new baby for a long stretch either. But for a short period of time, like two to three hours, the baby would be fine.”

Upon completion of the course, participants receive a certificate acknowledging their achievement.

“The hope is that parents will request a Red Cross-trained sitter because these girls have more knowledge than someone who is flying by the seat of their pants,” Mrs. Spencer-Arscott adds.

The comprehensive babysitter training also covers issues that will stick with the babysitters for life, such as good business practices, like punctuality and never backing out at the last minute, what to wear, and how to be actively involved with the child they are caring for.

Mrs. Spencer-Arscott elaborates, “The course also covers communication skills, personal safety tips, child developmental stages, basic care including diapering and feeding, and of course, dealing with emergencies.”

Emergencies like dealing with a choking infant, treating various injuries and what to do if he child loses consciousness.

Participants receive hands on training in basic CPR for children and adults.

Thirteen-year-old Christina Hoban completed the babysitters’ course over the summer, and feels she learned a lot from the course, with the Heimlich Manoeuvre and CPR training particularly invaluable.

“Before I wouldn’t have known what to do and if I was caught in a situation like that, I would have freaked out about it,” she says with a giggle.

“But hopefully we’ll never have to deal with any of those.”

Up until now Christina has been babysitting her young family members, but she felt it was time to turn her talent into a moneymaking opportunity and wanted the training to back her up.

Along with certificates, the Red Cross also gives each successful participant a backpack, basic First Aid kit and booklet containing further studies, tips and advice.

Jenna Butterfield is on her way to completing the course, and although she has been babysitting for a year already, she feels the experience will come in useful for the next time she is asked to baby-sit.

Mrs. Spencer-Arscott says each participant is encouraged to return and complete a fully certified CPR course.

“I recommend it strongly for anyone with children, new babies, and anyone who works with children,” she notes, adding that by law in Bermuda, anyone working with small children must be certified in CPR and First Aid.

As for the parent hiring the babysitter, the rule stands to always leave emergency telephone numbers of those who can provide emergency assistance, including neighbours, and show the babysitter where the emergency supplies and First Aid kits are kept.

Make sure your babysitter is in the know before you go!