It is the duty of parents, communities, and the police to ensure that all children are safe.
As part of the broader effort to ensure community well-being, the Newcastle SAPS has reminded parents and guardians of some fundamental safety guidelines. These universal rules are designed to help keep children safe in a wide range of everyday situations.
- Learn the basics: Children need to learn and memorise their complete name(s), their parents’ complete names, home address(es), and telephone number(s). This is important information in case of an emergency.
- Talk back: Encourage children to talk to their parents or a trusted adult about anything that makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or sad. Open communication builds trust and can prevent abusive situations.
- Teach children about secrets: Discuss with children that there are good and bad secrets. Good secrets, like a surprise party, are fun and harmless. Bad secrets make children feel scared or uncomfortable and should never be kept.
- Stranger safety: Children should never give out personal details such as their name or address to strangers. Teach them that not every stranger is safe, even if they seem nice.
- Practise the buddy system: children should not walk or play alone outdoors or in public areas. The buddy system enhances safety and offers help during emergencies.
- Shout, run, and tell: If they are confronted by a stranger, children should scream “No!”, run to a safety zone, and tell a trusted adult immediately. Screaming and running are safer than hiding.
- Stay back: Children should stay at a safe distance—about three arm lengths—from strangers or their vehicles. When a stranger approaches in a car, the child should run in the opposite direction of where the car is going.
- Fighting back is okay: if a stranger attempts to take a child, it’s acceptable to scream, fight, and do anything possible to get away. Shouting “No!”, “Help!”, or “Danger!” can make nearby adults aware.
- Home alone? Stay safe: children should keep all doors and windows locked and closed while they are home alone. When arriving home, if they notice a broken window or an open door, they should proceed to a trusted neighbour and call the police on 10111.
- Door and telephone safety: When the doorbell rings, children should say, “Who is it?” while staying behind the door. Children should never tell someone they are home alone or open the door unless the person at the door is someone their parents told them would be visiting.
In the same way, if a stranger calls, children should say, “Mom/Dad can’t come to the phone right now. Can I take a message?” rather than indicating they are home alone.
Parents are encouraged to discuss and regularly review these guidelines with their children.
For emergencies or more information, contact the Newcastle SAPS or dial 10111.
The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area.
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