Is your preteen a safe sitter?

If not, consider signing him or her up for a nationally recognized babysitting preparation course designed for 11- to 14-year-olds. More than 600,000 preteens have graduated from the program, learning how, why, and where injuries happen so they can be prevented.

Tanner Health System is offering a Safe Sitter class on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica. The cost of the class is $50, and registration is required.

Safe Sitter — a medically accurate, competency-based program — teaches kids proven childcare techniques, basic first aid, rescue techniques (including how to respond to a choking infant and providing first aid) and CPR. The class also covers advice on how to run babysitting as a business, online and cellphone safety and more.

The class is led by a certified Safe Sitter instructor who presents a fun and engaging discussion about the ins and outs of caring for children.

Students who graduate from a Safe Sitter class receive a completion card demonstrating they know how to use the skills they learned. Parents are invited to a closing ceremony at the end of the class.

The class size is small on purpose and spots fill fast, so call 770-214-CARE or register online at tanner.org/safesitter.