With personal safety becoming increasingly important, local police have established simple guidelines for parents and children to follow.

These tips were provided by Lizzy Arumugam, from the Corporate Communications office.

Tips for children:

• Children must know their parents’ names, addresses and phone numbers
• Children should avoid walking and playing alone outside or in public places
• Children should never speak to strangers and should keep a safe distance of three arm lengths away from unknown people

“Children must be aware of suspicious adults around them and if they feel unsafe, they should seek the protection of safe adults.”

• Children must understand that they have the right to say no
• Children must be taught to scream, fight back and flee – the most important thing they can do is scream to get an adult’s attention.
• If children are left alone at home, all doors must be locked and windows closed
• In the event of an emergency, in the absence of their parents, children should seek assistance from their neighbours.”
• Children must not open the door for anyone unless they are expecting someone who can be trusted
• When there is a knock on the door or an unfamiliar phone call, children should never say they are alone

“It is extremely crucial children know how to contact police. If a child feels threatened, he or she should contact the SAPS Emergency Line at 10111 or the SAPS Crime Stop line at 08600 10111.”

Tips for parents:

• Teach children their full names, age, phone numbers and address
• In an emergency, your children must know how to contact you, SAPS or another close relative

“When children are alone at home, they should inform callers their parents are busy and cannot answer the phone… Teach your child to immediately end any phone calls with strangers and to hang up the phone if he or she continues to speak.”

• If children are alone at home, they should identify a person who comes to the door without opening it
• If a stranger knocks at the door, teach children to tell the person to leave and return later, as their parents are busy
• Teach your child to avoid conversing with visitors
• Teach the child to dial an emergency number if he or she feels threatened. Emergency numbers could include your work phone number, the police phone number or the phone number of a trusted neighbour.

Children should walk and play in groups whenever possible

• Before accepting gifts from strangers, children should always ask your permission

If someone is following or frightening them, children should run home or to the nearest public place or a friend’s home, to avoid situations where strangers may approach them alone.”

• Children must understand that adults – particularly strangers – rarely ask children for assistance in finding things or giving directions.
• Men and women can be considered strangers
• If they become separated from you in a store or shopping mall, children must immediately seek help from a store employee or cashier
• You must always be aware of where your children are. Know their friends and communicate with them about the locations and homes they may visit.

Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, whether the car is running or not

• Pay attention to your children – take note if they say they don’t want to be with someone or go somewhere
• When someone pays close attention to your child or begins to give gifts, inquire about the individual and why they are acting this way
• Teach your children that they have the right to refuse unwanted, uncomfortable or confusing touch or actions from others, and to leave those situations as soon as possible.

“If they are unable to leave, children should be taught to kick, scream, and resist by yelling ‘this person is not my father/mother/guardian’ and then immediately inform you of what has occurred.”

Keep an eye out for any changes in your child’s behaviour or attitude – encourage open communication and learn to listen actively

• If your children confide in you, try to remain calm, reassuring and non-judgemental – work with them to find solutions to the problem
• Practice basic safety skills with your children – make a trip to the mall or park an educational experience by having your children practice checking in with you, going to the bathroom with a friend and looking for adults who can assist them
• Do not allow the wearing/carrying in public of items bearing their names – this makes it easy for someone unfamiliar to approach them

“Create code words for anyone you trust to fetch your children and teach them to your children. Tell them not to go with anyone who does not know the code words,” concluded Arumugam.

The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and follow us on our WhatsApp Channel