SMART SAFETY SOLUTIONS TO KEEP YOUR KIDS SAFE

Nobody wants their holiday ruined by a child going missing or having an accident. Take our tips to keep your kids safe over the festive season.

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Whether you’re staying at home over the holidays, travelling to visit friends or family or just going on a family trip, there are ways to safeguard your children so the only memories you make are happy ones.

ON THE HOME FRONT
We often don’t realise how many accidents can happen in the home until it’s too late. ‘We discovered how quickly home accidents can happen,’ says Johannesburg mother Carol Ngema. Two years ago, while preparing coffee for guests, Carol briefly turned her back on her toddler, Xolani. ‘He pulled on the electric kettle cord and spilt boiling water on himself,’ she explains. ‘Thankfully he recovered from his injuries, but simply moving the kettle could have prevented our ordeal.’

PREPARE TO PROTECT
‘I was accidentally separated from my nine-year-old daughter at a mall while we were Christmas shopping,’ says Thembi Sibeko. ‘She went to the nearest cashier in the store to ask for help. It was such a frightening experience, but I’m happy I taught my children what to do should that ever happen, and she was safe.’

‘SAFE’ STRANGERS
Experts advise that parents teach kids what to do should they ever become separated from them. They should look for a ‘safe stranger’ for help – for example a mom (or family) with kids, a security officer, shop attendant or life guard if at the beach. If you’re out with older children, agree on a ‘meeting place’ in case you become separated – and make it a busy public place.

GOLDEN RULES
Statistically, crime spikes over the festive season. Help protect your family by always locking home entrances and gates and insist that others only be allowed access to your home or holiday accommodation with parental permission. If you have a security system, teach older kids how to use the alarm and panic button.

Gun owners should also take care to store weapons in a secret, locked location. It is equally important to be aware that alcohol and drugs often play a role in violent domestic incidents and accidents. Therefore, responsible drinking and avoiding recreational drugs is essential when in the company of children. Lastly, never leave children in the care of strangers or other children. Identifying potential dangers and extra vigilance will not only keep your children safe, but also ensure a drama free and enjoyable holiday for the whole family.



SMART SAFETY SOLUTIONS
Pumla Mtambeka, Home Safety Project Specialist at ChildSafe South Africa, advises parents to follow these safety tips for children:

• Teach your kids to use emergency telephone numbers and make sure the numbers are next to the phone or on the fridge door, for example.
• Parents and child minders should attend a first aid course.
• Teach your children to identify and avoid home dangers like electric sockets, hot appliances and sharp objects (glass can also cause injury).
• Read package inserts, labels and instructions and keep any potentially toxic substances completely out of the reach of children (preferably locked away). Never keep harmful substances in innocent-looking containers, such as putting paraffin in an empty cooldrink bottle.
• If there are babies and toddlers in the home, never, ever leave water unattended – a baby can drown in a few inches of water. 
• Keep the cords of any electrical appliances out of kids’ reach, and turn pot and pan handles towards the back of the stove. 
• Place matches, paraffin and lighters out of reach and never leave candles or braais unattended. 
• Prevent young children from choking by cutting food into small pieces and hiding choking hazards like small toys, bottle tops or other small objects. 
• Teach kids to swim early and never leave children unattended around swimming pools or any other bodies of water. 
• If you have pets, make sure any visiting children know how to treat them – a dog that is teased or hurt can bite and badly injure a child. 
• Discourage sharing of sensitive information, particularly over social media. 

PUBLIC SPACES

• Always ensure that children wear a helmet and avoid traffic when biking, blading or skateboarding.
• Buckle kids up on vehicle trips and use car seats for babies and toddlers.
• Supervise small kids when walking on roads and teach older kids pedestrian safety.
• Never leave babies or children (or pets) in hot cars. 
• Make sure children have access to water, sunscreen and protective clothing on hot days.
• Teach kids their name, address and phone number; educate them on ‘stranger danger’ and how to approach a ‘safe stranger’ (see below) if they get lost.
• Teach older kids to stick together in groups when out.