Is your child safe this school holiday?

ADT shared the following tips for children and parents to heed when they are home alone:

•  If your child will be home alone during the holidays, make sure they keep all doors locked and that they do not allow anyone to enter the property without permission. They must also know how to activate and de-activate any security systems you have installed, especially the panic button.
•  Keep a list of important emergency telephone numbers close to your telephone, including numbers for your local SAPS station and your neighbours. If your child has their own cellphone, make sure these emergency numbers are pre-programmed in their contact list.
•  If you usually drive your child to the home of a friend who lives in the same neighbourhood, rather walk the route with them before they have to do it on their own. Explain that it is better to walk a slightly longer route down familiar streets, where there is more activity, than taking short-cuts across fields or deserted areas.
•  If your child has to leave the house for whatever reason, ask that they call you when they leave and again when they have arrived at their destination. Make sure they know that if they do happen to find themselves in an unfamiliar street, they should look out for a policeman or security officer to help them. They must never accept help from a stranger.

Crystal Park SAPS media liaison officer Tryna Maritz said police visited Ashbury Private School, Crystal Park Primary School and Gekombineerde Skool Noorderlig on October 2, to educate the children on being safe this holiday.

“As there has been a sudden increase in street robberies in the area, pupils are urged not to walk alone and to always try to move in groups,” said Maritz.

They were also told to make use of busy streets and not to make their valuables noticeable.

“The SAPS pleads with pupils not to walk with their cellphones or tablets in their hands and not to wear earphones,” said Maritz.

“They must always be aware of their surroundings.”