After a painstakingly long year of lockdown, quarantine and home-schooling, parents have breathed a sigh of relief as children head back off to school.
Lizzy Arumugam of the Newcastle SAPS Corporate Communications office has cautioned that it is still important to remember that a child should always practice safety first when leaving the house.
She has therefore released the following safety tips for parents and children to adhere to on a daily basis:
- Never ever go anywhere alone: Make sure if you leave the house that you are with a group with friends or with an adult whom your parents trust.
- Never leave the house without telling your parents: Make sure your parents have the phone numbers of your friends with whom you are with. Always let your parents know if your plans change and be honest with them.
- Know your emergency numbers: Memorise your mom and dad’s names, surnames and telephone numbers. Also memorise the telephone number of an aunt or uncle in case you can’t get hold of your parents.
- Avoid places you’re not familiar with: If you get lost in a shopping centre or anywhere else, go to the security officer immediately and ask for help – don’t try to look for your parents yourself.
- Public safety: Don’t go to public toilets on your own, rather do so with friends or family.
- Stranger danger: Don’t take sweets, money, gifts, cool drinks or anything else from strangers. Never get into a stranger’s car or go anywhere with them.
- Trust your instincts: If someone is following you; run, scream and make loud noises! Rather be safe than sorry.
- Mark your personal belongings: Write your name on the inside of your clothes and your school bag. Do the same with your parents’ phone numbers but never write it down where strangers might see it.
- Avoid playing in the streets alone: It is easy for a stranger to stop next to you, grab you and pull you into a car, be careful when playing outside.
- Adapt the buddy system: Always take a friend with you wherever you go and try to hold onto them. This way you can help each other should you find yourselves in trouble.
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