The Gauteng Department of Community Safety, together with the Gauteng Department of Education, has called on all parents, guardians and caregivers to prioritise the safety and well-being of children during the upcoming winter school holidays.

Public schools across Gauteng closed on June 26 and will reopen on July 21.

The department stated that children are likely to spend more time outdoors, travelling, visiting friends and relatives, or engaging in recreational activities during this time.

The departments urged parents and caregivers to remain vigilant and take practical measures to ensure their children are safe throughout these holidays.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to consider the following safety tips:

• Ensure children are supervised at all times and know their whereabouts.
• Have your children learn their address and their parents’ details (such as full names and cell phone numbers) by heart.
• Try to keep your children within your sight or within the sight of another adult or caretaker whom you trust.
• Educate children on road safety and the importance of using designated pedestrian crossings.
• Prevent children from playing near busy roads, rivers, dams, construction sites and abandoned buildings.
• Monitor children’s online activities and educate them about the dangers of interacting with strangers on social media and other platforms.
• Encourage participation in safe and structured recreational, educational and sporting activities.
• Speak openly with children about personal safety and the importance of reporting suspicious behaviour.
• Ensure children are not left alone for extended periods without responsible adult supervision.
• Report cases of child abuse, neglect, exploitation, missing children or criminal activities to the nearest police station.

ALSO CHECK: Kwa-Thema Operation Shanela targets drugs, crime and illegal liquor outlets

The department explained that the school holidays are a time for children to take a break from their daily learning and educational routines at schools and spend quality time with family and friends.

“It is during this period where, in some instances, children are exposed to vulnerability, and it is, therefore, important that community members play an active role in safeguarding children.

“We remain of the firm belief that ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and, accordingly, the safety of all Gauteng’s children is the responsibility of all members of the community – from parents, teachers, police officers, and street vendors to community patrollers, to mention a few,” said the departments.

The departments have encouraged the public to report suspicious activities to their nearest police station, support community safety initiatives and work together to create safer environments for all children during these holidays.

The departments wish all learners, educators and parents a safe and enjoyable school holiday.

ALSO CHECK: How spinal TB led former teacher Pauline Morare to rediscover healing through crochet