Keep children safe during June holidays
As the June school holidays are upon us, parents are urged to advise their children on safety during their stay at home.
With school children being at home for their three-week long June holiday, parents who work throughout the holiday are constantly concerned about the safety of their children.
Security company, ADT, urges parents to share basic and practical safety precautions with their children regardless of whether they are left with a caregiver, a domestic staff or stay at home by themselves.
“It is important that they know to always keep entry and exit doors locked, and that no-one is to enter the home without your permission,” said ADT Managing Director, Mike Kidson. He added that homes that have a security system installed should teach their children how to activate and de-activate it and how and when to use other security devices such as the panic buttons.
“It is also a good idea to have a list of emergency contacts, including the 10111 number, near the telephone and to explain to them when and how it must be used,” he said.
The June cold weather means that older children experience boredom quickly as they are often confined indoors. “The usual solution is wanting to visit a friend who lives in the neighbourhood. If you are not able to drop your child off or arrange a lift for them, we suggest that you walk the route with them before they have to do it on their own. Explain that it is better to take a longer route down familiar streets where there is more activity than taking short-cuts across fields and through deserted areas or roads,” said Kidson.
“Make sure that they know to call you to let you know when they are about to leave home and again once they have arrived at their friend’s home. If while walking they find themselves in an unfamiliar street, they should look out for a police or security officer and never talk to or take advice or a ride from a stranger,” Kidson said.
As shopping malls and centres are usually popular hang-out spots for older children, Kidson advises that children look after their belongings and to look out for each other.
“Busy malls present a prime opportunity for pick-pockets. Teach your children to hold on tightly to their handbags, wallets and cell phones. It is also important that, if they become separated from their friends, they head straight to the mall information desk or to security and try to track them down from there,” said Kidson.
Two children from Centurion are being treated for shock after two armed men forcefully entered their home and robbed them at gunpoint on Tuesday. In another case, two children were robbed by three armed suspects in Faerie Glen on Tuesday. In both cases, the children were at home with their domestic workers.
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Children traumatised after witnessing house robbery
