PARENTS of children who have to travel to and from school on their own are uged to share safety tips with their children and to encourage them to practice them every day.
Charnel Hattingh of Fidelity ADT has advice that can help increase peace of mind.
* Children should always walk to or from school with a friend or friends. If your child walks alone, it’s a good idea to ask a teacher or other parents if they know of other children from the area who do the same. They should always stick to streets they know and never take short cuts through unfamiliar or quiet areas.
*If children get picked up at school, they must always wait inside the grounds for their lift to arrive and not leave the premises to go and look for them in the street. They must never get into a stranger’s car even if they claim that someone they love is hurt and that they are supposed to pick them up. It is a good idea to consider using a password system, to ensure that the person collecting you is in fact a friend of your parents or someone you can trust.
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*In some cases children have to see themselves to and from school and keep occupied until their parents return home in the evening. It is important that children know not to let anyone into the house without parents’ permission. If parents are going to be late, they must let their children know as soon as possible and give them an idea of when they can expect them to be home.
*Draw up a list of important telephone numbers that includes emergency services and mom and dad’s work and cellphone numbers. Save it on your child’s cell phone, and stick it on or near the landline. It’s also important to explain to them when these should be used.
*Children should also know how to use the home security system and when and how to use the panic buttons.
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