Keep kids safe during holidays
With schools closed as of September 29, the EMPD’s Social Crime Prevention Unit issued a safety caution for learners during the holiday period.
The EMPD’s Social Crime Prevention Unit (SCPU) officers urge community members to be extra cautious to ensure the safety of their children during their school holidays.
The warning was issued after the SCPU discovered problems with child abuse, neglect, and cyberbullying.
The SCPU officers have ramped up efforts to educate children and parents on various safety programmes.
They encourage children to turn to police officials for help and advice.
Here are a few tips to follow to ensure your children’s safety during the school holidays:
• Urge them never to walk alone but in groups.
• Children must notify parents of their whereabouts.
• They must refrain from communicating with strangers.
• Children must avoid parks with a group of boys who smoke and consume alcohol.
• If children will be indoors, they must ensure the gates and doors are locked.
• Keep all appliances off when there is load-shedding.
• Children should not leave keys inside the yard when they need to go somewhere, but rather with a neighbour.
•They should not open the door to any agents, whether in uniform or not.
• Parents should keep medication out of the reach of children.
• When at the shopping mall with children, teach them that should they get lost, they should look for security or the closest shop assistant for help.
• Do not leave candles or matches within reach of children.
• Make sure there is trustworthy adult supervision when you are not home.
On behalf of the SCPU, the media liaison officer Constable Thabiso Makgato wishes the children a good holiday rest before they resume the last term of the year.
“Your safety is our concern,” said Makgato.
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