Safe Sitter Teaches Young Teens to Be Safe and Responsible Babysitters

Safe Sitter is the only national non-profit training program in the United States that is dedicated to preparing young teens to be safe in situations where they're put in charge, such as babysitting, watching younger siblings, or being home alone. Through more than 850 teaching sites across the country, Safe Sitter provides nearly 35,000 young teens each year with constantly updated, medically accurate, and developmentally appropriate curriculum.

Safe Sitter was founded in 1980 by Indianapolis pediatrician Patricia Keener, MD after a colleague's toddler choked to death while under the care of an adult sitter. Dr. Keener developed Safe Sitter as an instructional program for young teens, as they are the earliest babysitters and the least aware of their responsibilities.

The mission of Safe Sitter is to build safer communities by providing safety skills, child care training, and life skills to all youth. Dr. Keener was recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics for the educational excellence of the program.