Make sure your children are back to school safety savvy

The new school year is about to begin, and with it comes a lot of preparation: new uniforms, stationery, and sports equipment.

But have you taken the time to teach your child how to be safe on the way to and from school?

According to Theunis Kotze, general manager of ADT inland region, it is critical to share safety tips with your children and encourage them to use them on a daily basis.

“There is a lot of anxiety for many working parents about getting their children to and from school and home safely,” he said.

Here are a few tips worth sharing with children to ensure they stay safe:

• Always walk with a friend or friends to and from school. Stick to familiar streets and avoid taking shortcuts through quiet areas or empty parking lots.
• If you are picked up at school, never leave the grounds and always wait inside the school grounds for your lift.
• Never get into the car of a stranger, even if the stranger claims that someone you care about is injured and that they are supposed to pick you up. Keep in mind that your parents would never send someone you don’t know to pick you up.
• If a stranger approaches you, do not engage them in conversation, no matter how friendly they appear. If someone tries to grab you, fight back, kick them, and scream that they are not your parent.

A domestic helper or au pair may not be an option for some families due to financial constraints. In some cases, children must entertain themselves until their parents return home in the evening.

It is critical that children understand how the alarm system and panic buttons work, as well as when and how to use them.

Also, make a list of important phone numbers, such as emergency services and mom and dad’s work and cellphone numbers, and stick it on or near the phone, along with instructions on when these should be used.”

Stress the importance of not allowing anyone into the house without your permission.” If you are going to be late, notify your children as soon as possible and let them know when they can expect you to return home.

Finally, if the children are very young, make sure they understand that certain items in the house, such as the stove, kettle, heaters, candles, and so on, are dangerous and are off limits,” concluded Kotze.

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. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and request an add on our WhatsApp (082 874 5550).