March 8, 2010 (Toronto, ON) – With the approach of March Break children across the province are preparing for camp, vacation or a quiet stay at home. St. John Ambulance encourages parents to help their children be prepared for the unexpected by getting them trained in first aid. Educating children on what to do in an emergency can help them stay confident and calm, even if an adult isn’t around.

Designed for children 7-10 years of age, this program teaches children to handle emergencies in a fun and interactive way. Participants receive an activity book and certificate of participation. They learn how to deal with emergencies such as:

Developed by a team of child care professionals, this award winning course teaches prospective babysitters the things they need to know about caring for infants, toddlers & preschoolers. Students learn about:

This March Break, St. John Ambulance wants parents and guardians everywhere to encourage children to be confident during an emergency by training them in first aid.

For 125 years, St. John Ambulance has been training over 140,000 Ontarians annually in first aid and other health care related courses and remains dedicated to saving lives at work, home and play. With over 4,000 volunteers contributing over half a million hours of community service a year, St. John Ambulance is an integral part of the community offering such unique and innovative programs as: medical first response, disaster response, car seat clinics, health and safety related youth programs and therapy dog services. As a charitable, non-denominational, humanitarian organization, proceeds from St. John Ambulance’s first aid training and first aid product sales directly support these vital community services programs. For more information on St. John Ambulance training courses and volunteer opportunities or to contact your local branch, visit www.sja.ca/on