Safety Tips for Children: Keeping Your Loved Ones Safe
In today’s world, ensuring the safety of children is more important than ever, especially for parents, au pairs, and caregivers. From teaching children how to handle strangers to understanding the dangers online, safety must be a priority.
Here’s a guide to equip your child with essential safety skills, both in real life and online.
Child Safety Tips
- Know Essential Information
Ensure your child knows their full name, parents’ names, home address(es), and phone numbers. This is crucial if they ever need help from an adult or authority. - Share Feelings of Discomfort
Teach children to immediately tell a trusted adult if they feel scared, uncomfortable, or sad. Reinforce that they should never keep bad secrets. - Avoid Strangers
Children should avoid sharing personal information with strangers and always keep a safe distance (at least three arm lengths) from unknown adults or vehicles. - Use the Buddy System
Encourage children to always have a friend with them when playing or walking outside. - Scream for Help
Teach children that if someone makes them feel unsafe, it’s okay to scream “No!” or “Help!” and run to a trusted adult. - Home Alone Safety
When alone at home, children should keep doors and windows locked. If they notice anything suspicious like a broken window, they should go to a neighbour and call 10111 (South African Police Number).
Internet Safety for Children
With increased access to the internet, teaching children about cyberbullying and online safety is crucial:
- Cyberbullying Awareness
Explain what cyberbullying is and how it can affect them emotionally. Look for signs like withdrawal from online activities or changes in mood, which may indicate they are being bullied. - No Personal Information Sharing
Remind children not to share their personal details online, such as home addresses, school information, or phone numbers. - Stranger Danger Online
Just as in real life, children should never meet up with people they have only spoken to online, and they should inform a trusted adult if anyone makes them feel uncomfortable.
Cyberbullying: Warning Signs
- Sudden changes in mood or behavior (withdrawal or anxiety)
- Avoidance of online activities or social media
- Unexplained injuries (emotional or physical)
- Reports of receiving hurtful messages or being bullied online
Teaching Personal Boundaries
Children must understand that their body belongs to them, and no one has the right to touch them without permission. Teach them the importance of setting personal boundaries, especially when it comes to inappropriate behavior.
Do’s and Don’ts for Child Safety
Do’s:
- Have regular safety conversations with children about potential dangers.
- Create safety plans for situations like getting lost in public places or emergencies at home.
- Encourage open, ongoing dialogue about their feelings and experiences.
Don’ts:
- Never dismiss their concerns, no matter how small they seem.
- Avoid scaring children about safety, but empower them to act if they feel unsafe.
How to Handle Emergencies
In case of an emergency, children should:
- Know how to dial emergency numbers.
- Memorise their home address and phone number.
- Always contact a trusted adult immediately.
Child Safety FAQs
1. What should children do if they feel unsafe with a stranger?
Teach children to scream “Help!” or “No!” and run to a trusted adult immediately. Encourage them to always maintain a safe distance from strangers.
2. How can I teach my child about online safety?
Start by explaining the dangers of sharing personal information online, and monitor their online interactions. Discuss what cyberbullying is and remind them to report any uncomfortable messages.
3. What is cyberbullying, and how can I help my child?
Cyberbullying involves using technology to hurt or harass someone. If your child is experiencing cyberbullying, maintain an open line of communication, encourage them to block the bully, and report the behavior to the platform or school.
4. How can I prepare my child for emergencies at home?
Create a simple emergency plan with your child. Teach them how to call emergency services, and make sure they know their home address, your phone number, and where to go if they feel unsafe.
5. How can I teach my child about personal boundaries?
Explain that no one has the right to touch them without their consent. Reinforce that it’s okay to say “No” to any unwanted physical contact, and ensure they feel comfortable coming to you about any concerns.
The Child Protection Unit
For more ways to ensure your child’s safety and learn about protective services, check out our detailed guide on The Child Protection Unit and understand how you can keep children safe in any situation.