It’s back to school and whilst students across the country settle in for a new academic year, parents and caregivers are encouraged to make safety a top priority.

“We wish all learners the best for the new year, especially those who are going to school for the first time. Back-to-school is an exciting time, but it also brings new routines and responsibilities,” says Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Communications and Marketing at the Fidelity Services Group.

“Teaching kids simple, age-appropriate safety habits can make a big difference in keeping them protected both in and out of school. It’s imperative that you make sure your children know exactly how to avoid possible danger, and also what they must do in case something bad happens to them,” adds Hattingh.

She suggests the following tips are shared with the kids, and that they are encouraged to practise them every day:

• 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 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 the person collecting you is in fact a friend of your parents or someone you can trust
• 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 schoolchildren to assure their safety
• Stick to streets you know and never take shortcuts through unfamiliar or quiet areas
• 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
• 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, when parents are working all day, and domestic helpers may not be around full day, children have to keep themselves occupied until mom and dad return home in the evening.

“It is extremely important that the kids 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,” says Hattingh.

She suggested 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 phone 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.