Keep children safe during the long, chilly winter holiday

FOR children, the mid-year school holiday is a welcome break, but for many parents who have to work throughout, it is a stressful period of constantly wondering if their children are safe.

There are some basic and practical safety precautions parents can share with their children regardless of whether they are left with a caregiver, household personnel or stay at home themselves.

“It is important that they know to always keep the home’s entry or exit doors locked and that nobody is to enter the property without your permission,” says Theunis Kotze, general manager of ADT Security, inland region.

“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 the 10111 number near the telephone and to explain to children when and how it must be used. The cold weather means that older children are often confined indoors and that boredom quickly sets in so they spend a lot of time online. Kotze says teaching your children to stay safe online is also essential.

Here are some valuable hints and tips parents can share with their children:

• Never post any personal information online llike an address, e-mail address or cell phone number.

• Think carefully before posting pictures or videos of yourself. Once you’ve put a picture of yourself online, most people can see it and may be able to download it, it’s not just yours anymore.

• Don’t befriend people you don’t know.

• Don’t meet up with people you’ve met online. Your child should always tell you if an online contact they have never met suggests they meet up.

• Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are.

• Think carefully about what you say before you post something online.

• Respect other people’s views, even if you don’t agree with someone else’s views doesn’t mean you need to be rude.

• If a child sees something online that makes them feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried, they should leave the website, turn off their computer and tell someone immediately.

Children and teenagers should also be cautious of shopping malls which are far busier during the holidays and a popular hang-out for older children. If your child is going to a movie or to meet friends, they need to look after their belongings and to look out for each other.

“Busy malls present a prime opportunity for pick-pockets. Teach your children to hold on tightly to their handbags, wallets and cell phones. It is also important that if they become separated from their friends, they head straight to the mall information desk or to security and try to track them down from there,” concludes Kotze.