Four times a year we host safety programs for the au pairs, said Leslie Hanellin, the local childcare coordinator for Cultural Care Au Pair, a private educational institution which coordinates the placement of trained and screened childcare au pairs to local families. Learning infant and child CPR and the use of the Automated External Defibrillators is essential.

        Stevens said that the AEDs have become extremely user-friendly and include auditory prompts throughout the process. It is always best to have actually used one Stevens said as she demonstrated to the group how to attach the pads which deliver an electric shock to the heart. AEDs are now mandated in all schools. Someday they will be as common a sight as fire extinguishers.

        What would you do if the child in your care suddenly stopped breathing? Stevens asked the group of 16 au pairs. The number one cause of death in children is accidents poisoning, falls, burns. We need to know what to do in an emergency.

        Using a series of videos, interspersed with lecture and hands on demonstration, the au pairs, who come from foreign countries throughout the world, learned life saving techniques on a recent Sunday afternoon.

         Carefully tipping back the small heads the child care professionals checked airways for obstructions, looked, listened and felt for breathing and checked for signs of circulation before delivering breaths of life to the infant model dolls specifically designed for CPR instruction.

        Developed in partnership with the National Safe Kids Campaign, informal training seminars supply au pairs with the most current information available on safety measures and injury prevention for children.

        Before the summer begins, Hanellin explained, the au pairs will receive additional safety instruction geared to the warm months. Pool safety, playground safety and bicycle safety are some of the topics we will cover.

        Cultural Care au pairs are placed in American homes for one year as child care professionals. The au pairs strengthen their English skills and add to their extensive work resumes, while the host families benefit from a well trained child care professional. For more information concerning Cultural Care Au Pair call 631-680-7811.