Keep your kids safe while having fun these holidays

The school holidays have arrived and it is thus time to get into gear and make sure your kids are safe while having fun.

“Many parents work through the school holidays so kids are looked after by a family member or domestic worker or simply stay at home by themselves. Whatever your situation is, kids can have a great holiday while staying safe by following some simple advice from mom and dad,” advised the group head of marketing and communications at Fidelity ADT, Charnel Hattingh.

She offered these pointers:

• Keep doors locked and don’t let anybody in through the gate without checking with their parents.

• If there is an alarm system teach them how to activate and de-activate it and how and when to use panic buttons.

• Show them where the list of emergency contacts is – including the 10111 number – and explain when and how to use it.

“If your kids have access to the internet and social media sites while you aren’t there put some rules in place,” she suggested.

• Never post any personal information online – like an address, email address, password or mobile number.

• Think carefully before posting messages, pictures or videos of yourself. Once you’ve put a picture of yourself online most people can see it and may be able to download it, it’s not just yours anymore.

• Keep your privacy settings on your social media platforms as high as possible.

• Don’t befriend people on social media you don’t know.

• Don’t meet up with people you’ve met online. Your child should always tell you if an online contact they have never met suggests they meet up. Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are.

• If a child sees something online that makes them feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried: they should leave the website, turn off their computer and tell someone immediately.

“If you’ve arranged an outing for your kids make sure that they are prepared and understand what they are and aren’t allowed to do. If they are heading to malls or restaurants, they need to look after their belongings and look out for each other. They also need to be clear on the transport arrangements and never go anywhere with a stranger. Tell them to find a security guard in the mall if they are scared or unsure of what to do,” she said.

“Let’s make this a fun, incident-free holiday time,” concluded Hattingh.