Press release from the American Red Cross:
American Red Cross Encourages Getting Trained and Being Informed During Family Safety Month in July
Offers training in babysitting, family caregiving, disaster preparedness
(June 6, 2010) – The American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana is dedicated to helping families be safe and prepared and is offersing a variety of ways in which families can educate and prepare themselves for a safe and fun summer. Red Cross training includes (but is not limited to): Babysitter’s Training, Family Caregiving, and Disaster Preparedness for children.
Used to train and certify more than 120,000 babysitters nationwide each year, the Red Cross Babysitter’s Training course is fun and fast-paced with hands-on activities, role-plays, and lively discussions. The course is a great way for young people to build self-esteem and develop leadership, decision-making, and communication skills, as well as give them a meaningful way to earn money.
During the class, participants learn how to supervise children and infants, perform basic child-care skills, such as diapering, feeding, and dressing, choose safe, age-appropriate games and toys, identify safety hazards and prevent injuries, care for common injuries, such as burns, cuts, and bee stings, communicate effectively with parents, and more.
For those caring for an elderly or chronically-ill loved one, the Red Cross Family Caregiving program offers a quick reference guide with a companion DVD designed to assist caregivers with providing the best possible medical, nutritional, and financial care. Among the many useful topics covered, the guide teaches basic caregiving skills, home safety, healthy meal planning, and dealing with financial and legal issues.
“What’s so wonderful about the Family Caregiving program is that it takes care of the needs of not only the person needing care but also those providing care,” says Erin McDonald, Director of Health and Safety Services. “There’s an entire section of the guide devoted to helping caregivers learn how to reduce stress and balance the demands of work and home. The guide really focuses on the health and well-being of everyone involved in a caregiving situation and that helps to ensure it’s done with competence and compassion.”
Masters of Disaster is a disaster education series designed by the Red Cross that motivates children to learn about disasters while helping them prepare for different types of natural and man-made emergencies. The curriculum includes activities on topics such as fire prevention and safety, home safety, tornadoes, lightning, facing fear, and more. It is available in both a classroom educator’s kit and a family kit.
The Red Cross will is also offering discounted specials on family-related safety products during the month of July. For more information on any of these training classes, products, and curriculums, including classes in CPR, first aid, and water safety, please contact the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana at (260) 484.9336 ext. 240 or visit www.redcrossofnei.org.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana serves seven counties: Allen, DeKalb, Noble, Steuben, Wells and Whitley Counties in Indiana and Williams County in Ohio. For more information, call (260) 484-9336 or 1-800-513-2599, or visit www.redcrossofnei.org.
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