How to keep your child safe this festive season
December holidays are when the most reports of missing children and even children that are abandoned by their parents are received.
The holidays are upon us and the one thing that is killing the festive buzz for all parents is the stress about how they will keep their children from getting bored while at the same time keeping them safe.
Precautions must be taken to protect them when enjoying the festive season. As we all know they finish school before parents finish work and they start school again only after parents have gone back to work.
So the question remains how do we as parents keep our children safe when they do activities like going out with friends, going shopping, ice skating, going to see a movie or going with friends on a camping trip.
December holidays are when the most reports of missing children and even children that are abandoned by their parents are received.
The duty of protecting your child falls on each and every one of you. You are responsible to ensure your child knows the basic safety rules.
Something simples as keeping the gates and doors locked when they are home alone and not to let any strangers inside could possibly be the one thing that saves their lives.
They need to memorize all emergency numbers or even just have it saved on their phone as a backup.
The Provincial Department of Social Development urges the parents of South Africa that before they visit any public spaces such as shopping malls, their children should know their vital information, including full names, home address and the contact details of one of their parents.
In addition, children should be taught about:
- Stranger danger and sharing sensitive information, particularly over social media;
- An evacuation plan in case there is an emergency at home;
- Cooking and using kitchen appliances safely; and
- To stay with groups when out with friends.
If your child is missing or lost please phone or visit the nearest police station or alternatively phone the Nationwide emergency response (10111)
Here are a few additional emergency numbers your child should memorize or have with them at all times.
Childline: 080-005-5555
Lifeline: 086-132-2322
Emergency medical services: 10177
