WITH the mid-year school holidays just around the corner, a local security company has provided tips and advice for parents who might be worried about their children’s safety during the break.
“Children are easy targets for many reasons and while parents often share safety tips with their children, they don’t necessarily advise them on what to do if they find themselves in an actual crisis,” said ADT’s District Manager, Andrew Burdock.
He offers tips to children of all ages, advising them to remain calm and not fight back, unless they find themselves in a life-and-death situation.
“Hand over your phone or whatever else the criminals want, so that they can leave. Check them out. Try to get a good look at the criminal and memorise their physical details and clothing, as well as the vehicle they are travelling in, and listen for other clues which may identify them later,” he said.
Burdock said children should always walk in a group and stick to streets they know, and not take shortcuts.
“Keep cellphones, earphones and other expensive items out of sight at all times. Wait inside the gate if you are being picked up from school, and never get into a stranger’s car, even if they are friendly or say that someone in your family is hurt and that they’ve been sent to pick you up. Remember your mom and dad won’t do something like that without telling you! Just keep walking – in the opposite direction!” he said.
Burdock said children and parents should agree on a password that only they know, and if the person picking them up from school or the shops uses that password, they will know it is safe to get in the car with them.
“If someone tries to grab you, fight, kick and scream that the person is not your mom or dad. Never change plans without telling your parents or someone else in the family,” he said.
Burdock said people don’t have to act normally if they’re in danger – you can act out and start screaming or throwing things around to get attention. For example, if someone tries to grab you in a shop, you need to know it’s okay to knock things off the shelf if that what it’s going to take to get the attention of another adult.
“Parents and educators need to talk to children about personal safety and security at home all the time. Keeping children and our communities safe of criminals is everyone’s responsibility,” said Burdock.
