Holiday safety
RANDBURG – ADT provides tips on how children can stay safe at home during holidays.
For pupils the mid-year school holiday is a welcome break, but for parents it can be a stressful period of constantly wondering whether children at home are safe.
Security company ADT provides safety precautions parents can share with their children regardless of whether they are left with a caregiver, domestic staff or stay at home by themselves.
“It is important that [your children] know to always keep entry and exit doors locked, and that no one is to enter the home without your permission,” says Clive Humphrey, managing director of ADT Security Central Region, to parents.
“If you have a home security system installed teach them how to activate and deactivate it and how and when to use other security devices, like panic buttons.”
He adds that it is a good idea to have a list of emergency contacts, including 10111, near the telephone and to explain to them when they must be used.
If children wish to visit a friend and a lift cannot be arranged, Humphrey suggests that you walk the route with them before they have to do it on their own.
It is better to take a longer route down familiar streets where there is more activity than taking short-cuts through fields, deserted areas or roads.
Children should also phone their parents before leaving, and again when arriving at the friend’s home.
When visiting shopping malls, children should hold on tightly to handbags, wallets and cell phones in case of pick-pockets.
Details: ADT 086 010 0911.
