Safeguard your children this holiday

Chitra Bodasing Harduth, ER24 spokesman, says it is easy to become lost in the planning, shopping and the need to make this a festive season to remember.

However, parents and guardians have to be alert at all times.

ER24 provides a few tips:

• At this time of the year, shopping centres are busy, therefore be vigilant at all times.

If you take your children with, ensure you keep a close eye on them.

• Do not, under any circumstances, leave them in the vehicle.

• If you are working this festive season, ensure someone you trust is looking after your children.

Leaving children, especially young ones, at home without supervision is risky.

• Teach children not to accept anything from, to talk to or go anywhere with strangers.

Inform them that should they be approached by a stranger or feel unsafe around someone known to them, they should run away and scream to get the attention of people in the area.

Also teach them to never go to secluded areas.

• Ensure that, as soon as they’re old enough, your child knows your name, their name and surname and their address.

They should be informed that these details are not to be given to strangers but, instead, to people of authority such as police officers or lifeguards, for example.

Teach them emergency numbers and what to do in emergency situations.

• If you have a pool, ensure it is covered with a pool net.

“The festive season is one of the busiest times of the year at the beach. Ensure you or someone you trust is supervising your children at all times,” says Harduth.

Do not let them wander off.

• If you are going sightseeing or to any other attractions, ensure you research the area.

Consider your children and determine if it is an appropriate place for them.

If you decide to go and to take your children, ensure you keep a close eye on them.

• Remember to restrain children appropriately in a vehicle.

Remember that children will want to stand and move around in a vehicle but you have to be stern enough to say no.

• If you are having a braai, keep children a safe distance away from the fire.

Do not let them play around the area.

Also teach them about the danger of playing with matches and lighters.

• If your child goes missing, report it to the police.

• Parents must have a close and open relationship with children.

Harduth says children should feel comfortable telling you where they are going and with whom.

Children should be informed about the need to let you know where they are going to.

• Youngsters should be made aware of the dangers of consuming alcohol, the dangers of driving under the influence, driving without a licence, as well as the dangers of using drugs.

Girls should also be made aware that they should not accept drinks from strangers and should always be careful when at parties.