Next week children will be going back to school after a long summer holiday.
While learners might be excited about going back and seeing their friends again, parents and caregivers might have concerns about their little ones' safety.
Not all parents are able to take their kids to school or pick them up in the afternoons.
“There are basic tips that we believe parents can follow to make a difference in the safety of their children and to give everyone peace of mind,” said Charnel Hattingh, Fidelity ADT’s Group head of communications and marketing.
“It boils down to making sure your children know exactly how to avoid possible danger, and also what they must do in case something bad happens to them,” she said.
Here’s what Hattingh recommends.
Don’t walk alone
Children must always walk to or from school with a friend or friends. If your child walks alone, it’s a good idea to ask a teacher or other parents if they know of other children from the area who do the same.
Some towns have started “walking buses”, where local parents volunteer to walk to and from school with a group of school children to assure their safety.
Stay on a familiar route
Stick to streets you know and never take short-cuts through unfamiliar or quiet areas.
Wait inside
If you get picked up at school, always wait inside the grounds for your lift to arrive; do not leave the premises to go and look for them in the street.
Don’t leave with a stranger
Remember, your parents would never send someone you don’t know to fetch you.
Never get into a stranger’s car, even if they claim that someone you love is hurt and that they are supposed to pick you up.
It is a good idea to consider using a password system to ensure that the person collecting you is in fact a friend of your parents or someone you can trust.
Don’t talk to strangers
If a stranger approaches you, do not talk to them, no matter how friendly they may seem. If someone tries to grab you, fight, kick and scream that they are not your mom or dad.
In some cases children have to see themselves to and from school and keep occupied until mom and dad return home in the evening.
“It is extremely important that children know not to let anyone into the house without your permission. If you are going to be late, let your children know as soon as possible and give them an idea of when they can expect you to be home,” said Hattingh.
She suggests drawing up a list of important telephone numbers.
“This list must include emergency services and mom and dad’s work and cellphone numbers. Save it on your child’s cellphone, and stick it on or near the landline. It’s also important to explain to them when these should be used,” she said.
Hattingh added that everyone in the household should also know how to use your home security system – children included – and when and how to use the panic buttons.
IOL Lifestyle