Red Cross offers babysitter's course

Newton — The American Red Cross babysitter’s training course will be held at the Sussex chapter’s offices on Feb. 16 and 17 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. The course has an interactive, educational format that tasks youth, ages 11 to 16 with activities such as identifying safety problems around the house and yard and selecting age-appropriate toys and games for children in their care. This format, along with the course video and an instructor, keeps the interest of the babysitters and provides a meaningful classroom experience, officials said. The course can help participants to care for children and infants; be a good leader and role model; make good decisions and solve problems; keep the children safe; handle emergencies such as injuries; illnesses and household accidents; and write resumes and interview for jobs. The fee for this course is $65. For an additional $12, a portfolio-style first aid/safety kit that fits the babysitter training book is available. This portfolio makes it easy for sitters to carry important information “on the job” providing an easy to find location for important phone numbers or notes that a responsible babysitter would want to be on hand. The class will be held at the Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross at 93 Spring Street in Newton. Call 973-579-1600 for more information.