NATIONAL NEWS - In the wake of several kidnappings or attempted kidnappings across the province, parents are urged to empower their children to know how to respond to any crisis or act of criminality.
"As parents and guardians, it is our responsibility to not only educate our children about safety, but to also give them the necessary tools to deal with a crisis," explains Peter Kruger, district manager (Coastal Outlying) at Fidelity ADT.
"While we certainly don't want our children to live in fear, we do need to have frank conversations about what to do when things go wrong."
General safety tips for children:
- Children should always walk to or from school with friends or a family member;
- They should walk in streets they know and never take shortcuts through quiet areas or empty parking lots;
- They should never walk with cellphones in full view;
- If they get picked up at school, they should never leave the premises before their lift arrives, but always wait inside the school grounds;
- They must never, under any circumstances, get into a stranger's car. Remind them that you would never send someone they don't know to fetch them;
- Consider using a password system. If the person coming to collect them from school cannot repeat the password you and your child agreed on, they should not get into the car;
- If approached by a stranger, children should not talk to them, no matter how friendly the stranger may seem. If someone tries to grab them, they need to fight, kick and shout;
- If your child does encounter any suspicious activity, encourage them to get a good look and memorise physical details and clothing, as well as the vehicle they are in. They should listen for any names or other details that might later help identify the suspects;
- Make sure your children memorise their full names, address and phone number;
- Using a play phone, teach them when and how to dial 10111.
Quite simply, the same rules that apply to adults need to be instilled in children, says Kruger. He also urges parents and caregivers to immediately raise the alarm if their children are missing, so that authorities can be deployed to assist.
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