Crime is a reality in South Africa and equipping your children with essential safety information will help them to pre-empt and appropriately handle any danger they may find themselves in.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s Child Protection Week, commemorated between May 28 and June 4, brings with it an opportunity for parents to empower their children with the required tools to guide them in case of an emergency.<\/p>
\u201cThe purpose of creating this awareness is not to create a sense of fear, but rather to teach and reinforce practical safety tips that will guide your child\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile parents and guardians hope their youngsters never find themselves in a dangerous situation, it is always best to make sure they are prepared,\u201d said Charnel Hattingh, Fidelity ADT\u2019s national marketing and communications manager.<\/p>
A child\u2019s safety is a top priority for any parent and ensuring they are responsible is a necessity.<\/p>\n
\u201cInformation teaching them not to engage with or leave their school\u2019s premises with any strangers, especially overfriendly individuals, is the golden rule but is just one of many important rules to convey,\u201d said Hattingh.<\/p>\n
Children waiting to be fetched after school should also remember to stay within the school\u2019s premises.<\/p>\n
If they usually walk home, parents should advise their children to walk in a group.<\/p>\n
Some communities have started \u201cwalking buses\u201d, where adults walk with a group of children on their way to or from school as an added safety and security element.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Remember these safety tips this winter<\/a><\/p>\n Police give safety tips to assist the community, so they avoid becoming a statistic<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf they are unable to stay in a group on their way home, advise them to stick to familiar roads and avoid quiet side roads, alleys or fields.<\/p>\n \u201cChildren who are alone at home in the afternoons, should understand why not to open the door for strangers and have the necessary emergency numbers in close proximity to the home phone or pre-programmed on their mobile phones,\u201d advised Hattingh.<\/p>\n These practical tips are useful for children and adults alike and should be kept simple enough to remember in times of crisis:<\/p>\n \u201cAny characteristics that could help with the identification of a suspect (such as visible scars, noticeable accents and tattoos, and their outfit) will help with future investigations to apprehend them,\u201d said Hattingh.<\/p>\n A basic understanding of these safety measures will be useful for any child.<\/p>\n This is the motivation for a series of practical workshops arranged by Fidelity ADT, in which it sends a trainer to primary schools to educate young learners about safety and security habits.<\/p>\n Reiterating these tips is also crucial since the more parents repeat them, the more they will stick with them.<\/p>\n \u201cThese tips are fundamental for all children whether parents are at home or at work.<\/p>\n \u201cTeaching your children how to avoid and handle themselves in dangerous situations is one of the best things you can do,\u201d said Hattingh.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n