TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Techniques, teachers and textbooks are one thing, but one teen was forced to put her young skills to the test.
We first brought you the story of Northwest Fire's two-day babysitting boot camp in the summer. The class is designed for teens ages 12 to 15. Those young people were giving training in baby-handling, safety and even CPR. The goal: to give them knowledge and give parents piece of mind.
But, in a story you'll only see on KGUN9, one teen learned the hard way just how important paying attention during the course was.
13-year-old Camilla Hamilton was home alone when she was forced to think back to the babysitting course.
"I look over and the microwave is in flames... It was all orange," Hamilton said. "I like, quickly got up and was trying to think of what to do."
The teen told KGUN9, she was trying to heat up a roll in the microwave. But, in seconds - it caught fire.
"I was going to get the fire extinguisher to, like spray it," Hamilton explained.
But, quick-thinking brought her back to the babysitting classroom she attended this past summer; remembering that she was taught to turn off the microwave and to keep it closed.
"If you would have opened it, it could have like came out and burned all the cabinets," Hamilton said. "So, you're supposed to keep it shut... because the oxygen will make the fire get bigger."
Camilla's mother, Mandy Hamilton, said she had no idea a class about taking care of others would teach her daughter how to save herself.
"I'm grateful for Camilla's safety," Mrs. Hamilton said. "I know she was worried about the house and I was worried about her and her safety."
Veronica Rubio is a Fire Inspector with Northwest Fire and teaches the class in the summer. Rubio told KGUN9, this success story is an impressive one.
"Usually when adults are teaching stuff - you think it goes in one ear and out the other," Rubio laughed. "So, it's really nice to know they're retaining the information that we're giving them."
The Hamilton's cannot thank the teachers enough, especially after this experience and believe the class is essential.
"The babysitting class will really help," Hamiton said. "Because then you'll just know the facts, even if you won't use them, you can like use them to tell other people what to do."
Class are already ready for registration for the summer of 2016. For more information, click here.
