By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY—Staying home alone, caring for siblings and babysitting are big steps and a lot of responsibility for children. St. Vincent’s Supersitters class arms kids with safety information, tip and fun strategies to take on that responsibility.

The Sept. 22 class is open to kids 11-years-old and older, and covers the basics of staying home alone.

Kids will learn about a variety of safety procedures to use in a number of different scenarios, St. Vincent’s One Nineteen Women’s Education Coordinator Mary Maloney explained.

Supersitters will cover basic first aid and what to do in the case of a more serious injury or broken bone. Kids will also learn how to properly apply sunscreen, how to treat a sunburn and what to do in the case of a bee sting.

Kids preparing to babysit for very young children will learn to identify potential dangers in the home, from electrical outlets to sharp corners, Maloney said.

In addition to safety, the class will cover other aspects of babysitting, such as nutrition and activities.

“We use the kitchen at (St. Vincent’s) One Nineteen (to make) breakfast and lunch (options),” Maloney said, noting the class teaches kids to prepare easy, safe and nutritious meals without using the stove, such as fun-shaped sandwiches cut with cookie cutters.

The Supersitters class is open to both boys and girls getting ready to stay home alone or preparing to babysit, and Maloney said she often sees siblings attending the class together.

“We see brothers and sisters taking it (together),” Maloney said. “They both take the class if they’re staying home alone.”

The Supersitters class will be at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen on Sept. 22 from 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Registration costs $10 per child. For more information and to register, call 939-7878.