Important safety tips every child should know

With the December holidays fast approaching, Saps has issued the following safety tips for the public to take into consideration:

• Children should not be left alone at home or elsewhere where they can be susceptible to abuse, alcohol or drugs.

• Children must be taught to keep the windows and doors locked.

• Children should know their parents and police phone numbers.

• Know that is it okay to say no in uncomfortable situations.

• Children must not accept sweets, gifts or cash from strangers. Children are easy prey for criminals.

• Children must not get into a car with someone they do not know and without asking parents permission first.

Saps has also stated that parents and guardians must:

• Be responsible for their children and ensure their safety at all times, know where they are going and when they will return.

• Keep an open line of communication and trust between them, their children and the school and know their children’s friends.

• Know that there is no waiting period to report a person as missing.

• Keep a close watch on their children at swimming pools, beaches and shopping centres.

• Do not leave children unattended while playing outside.

• Do no send children to the store alone or to run errands.

• Children must be picked up promptly by their arranged transport after school.

• Children must not walk home alone from school, rather walk in large groups or parents can take turns walking them home.

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