Parents urged to protect children during school holidays
Authorities are urging West Rand families and communities to stay alert and take simple precautions to prevent children from becoming vulnerable during the holiday period.
With the winter school holidays upon us, West Rand residents are being urged to ensure that children are educated on how to stay safe during the break, whether they are staying at home or left with a responsible caregiver.
The Gauteng Department of Community Safety (GDCS) and the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) are calling on all parents, caregivers and guardians to prioritise children’s safety.
“Public schools across Gauteng closed on June 26 until July 21. Children are likely to spend more time outdoors, travelling, visiting friends and relatives, or engaging in recreational activities during this time,” said GDCS spokesperson Ofentse Morwane.
Both departments are urging parents and caregivers to remain vigilant and take practical steps to ensure children are protected and safe throughout the holidays.
Safety tips for children include:
• Ensure children are supervised at all times and that their whereabouts are known
• Teach them their home address and parents’ full names and contact numbers
• Keep them within sight or in the care of a trusted adult
• Educate them on road safety, including using designated pedestrian crossings
• Prevent them from playing near busy roads, rivers, dams, construction sites and abandoned buildings
• Monitor online activity and warn against interacting with strangers on social media
• Encourage participation in safe, structured recreational, educational and sporting activities
• Speak openly about personal safety and reporting suspicious behaviour
• Avoid leaving children alone for long periods without adult supervision
• Report child abuse, neglect, exploitation, missing children or criminal activity to the nearest police station
Morwane added that school holidays are a time for children to rest and spend time with family and friends, but they can also increase vulnerability. He said community members must play an active role in safeguarding children during this period.
Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity to their nearest police station, support community safety initiatives, and help create safer environments for children.
The Gauteng Department of Community Safety and the Gauteng Department of Education wish all learners, educators and parents a safe and enjoyable school holiday.
