Keeping your children safe has to be a priority all year – not just in the holidays – but the long summer holiday is just round the corner and security company ADT have decided to share some tips on how to make sure the worst doesn't happen – especially if you have older children at home alone.
Keeping your children safe has to be a priority all year – not just in the holidays – but the long summer holiday is just round the corner and security company ADT have decided to share some tips on how to make sure the worst doesn't happen – especially if you have older children at home alone.
“Nothing you do will ever completely remove that feeling of worry about whether or not your child is safe.
But there are precautions you can take including making sure your child knows what to do when things go wrong, and what actions to take to try and limit any harm,” says ADT Security’s KZN District Manager, Ivan Govender.
“Educating your child about the following basics will go a long way towards keeping them safe”, he adds.
1. If your child will be alone at home during the holidays, make sure they keep all doors locked and that they do not allow anyone to enter the property without permission. They must also know how to activate and de-activate any security systems you have installed, especially the panic buttons.
2. Keep a list of important emergency telephone numbers close to your telephone, including the numbers for your local SAPS station and your neighbours. If your child has their own cell phone, make sure these emergency numbers are pre-programmed in their contact lists.
3. If you usually drive your child to the home of a friend who lives in the same neighbourhood and they are going to walk their during the holidays, make sure you walk the route with them before they have to do it on their own. Mak sure they know that it is better to walk a slightly longer route down familiar streets, where there is more activity, than taking short-cuts across fields or deserted areas.
4. If your child has to leave the house while you are not there, ask that they call you once when they leave and again when they have arrived at their destination. Make sure they know that if they do happen to find themselves in an unfamiliar street, they should look out for a police or security officer to help them. They must know to never accept help from a stranger.
5. Shopping malls are normally busier than usual during holidays. Teach your children to memorise their name, surname, home address and the contact details of one of their parents. Also make sure they know that if they do become separated from you in a busy shopping mall, that they immediately look for mall security and give them the information they have memorized.
