However, parents and caregivers might feel some dread, especially those who are worried about the safety of their children while they make their way to school and back during this time.
While at school, learners will follow the regulated PPE regulations, but there are a number of personal security tips that parents should also follow to make a difference in the safety of their children and to give everyone peace of mind.
It is recommended that children walk to or from school in small groups (with a friend/s) as children who walk alone are at risk of being attacked, hurt or kidnapped.
Many towns have recently started a group called ‘walking buses’ where parents volunteer to walk a group of children to and from school to assure their safety.
Keep to roads that are familiar and never take short-cuts through unfamiliar or quiet streets. Learners who are picked up by their parents or caregivers in a car, should wait inside the school premises for their lift to arrive. Parents should also never send someone else to collect their children, without notifying their children. Children should be taught from an early age to never leave with a stranger, whether on foot or by vehicle.
Children should consider using a password system, to ensure that the person collecting you is in fact, a friend of your parents or someone you can trust.
Children should be taught that a stranger must never be trusted, no matter how friendly they seem and in the event of someone trying to grab a child, he/she should kick and scream to let others nearby know they are in trouble.
In some cases, children have to see themselves to and from school and keep occupied until mom and dad return home in the evening. It is therefore important that children know and understand not to let anyone into the house without their parents’ permission.
If you as a parent 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.
Drawing up a list of or saving important telephone numbers such as the parents’ numbers, the local police and emergency services on a child’s cellphone will prove valuable.
Every household should know how to use their home security system (children included) and when and how to use the panic buttons.
Safety training classes is another valuable addition to ensuring your child’s safety.
