#WisdomWednesday: It’s the school holidays! How to keep your kids safe …
VIDEO: CEO of the EPR Group of Companies gave tips for parents and guardians on how to keep kids safe these school holidays, starting 14 June.
From 14 June to 9 July, schoolchildren will be on holiday, which means their safety is of utmost importance.
For this week’s #WisdomWednesday, Johan Booysen, CEO of the EPR Group of Companies, gave both parents and guardians tips on how to keep your kids safe, be it at home, out with friends, etc.
“Parents and children should always make sure that they have constant communication and children should always make sure that they communicate with their parents regarding their whereabouts,” Johan said.
He added that parents should always ensure their children are in a safe and controlled environment while they are at work or that they are being looked after by trustworthy people.
“Child-proof your home, especially for toddlers and younger kids who may get bored and go digging through cupboards. All hazardous items should also be removed from their reach.”
Johan went on to say that parents should teach their children how to operate alarm systems in homes.
“Let them press the panic button to familiarise themselves with the process, so that they know what to do in case of an emergency,” he said.
“Ensure that swimming pools are sealed off; give children a list of emergency contacts; teach them to memorise their details; teach them not walk in public with cellphones in their hands, texting or playing games.
“If you have arranged an outing for your children, make sure that they are prepared and understand what they are not allowed to do. For example, they need to be clear on the transport arrangements and never go anywhere with strangers. Tell them to find a security guard in the mall if they are scared or unsure of what to do,” Johan added.
Johan also gave some social media security tips:
• Never post any personal information online, e.g. home address, email address, passwords or cellphone number
• Think carefully before doing anything online
• Keep privacy settings as high as possible
• Do not befriend strangers
• Do not meet up with people you meet online
“Your child should always tell you if an online contact they have never met is suggesting a meeting, and if a child sees something online that makes them uncomfortable, unsafe or worried, they should leave the website, turn off the device and tell someones immediately,” Booysen added.
