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Thursday, 4 December 2008

Parents

Parents

Keeping your children safe from crime

You can help to protect your young children and teens from crime with these common-sense precautions.

Protecting young children

Statistics show that crime against young children by strangers is rare. Even so, these seven tips can help protect your child:

  • tell your child to avoid talking to people they don't know when you're not around
  • make sure your child knows never to walk away with anyone without first telling the person in charge
  • make sure your child understands that they should always tell you if a stranger approaches, and never to keep this secret
  • if your child gets lost, they should ask for help from a police officer, another grown-up with children or someone working at a nearby shop
  • have your children learn their address and telephone number by heart
  • try to keep your children within your sight or another adult's whom you trust
  • use reins for your toddler - these will keep your child nearby even if you get distracted

Keeping older children safe

More crimes are committed against older children than any other age group, but there are some things your teenagers can do to keep safe on the streets:

  • stay alert, and keep personal stereos/MP3 players turned off, so they can hear what's going on around them
  • stick to busy, well-lit roads, and avoid short cuts through alleyways
  • if your child thinks someone is following them, they should cross the road or go to a place with lots of people around, like a bus stop or shop
  • your child could carry a whistle or shrill alarm around their neck or on a key chain to ward off suspicious strangers
  • when travelling by bus, your child should use bus stops on busy roads
  • if someone tries to take something from your child, they shouldn't try to fight
  • mobile phones and other valuables should be kept out of sight, and mobile phone ringers should be turned off to avoid attracting attention
  • don't let your child carry weapons because they are more likely to be used against your child, and it's illegal
  • encourage your child to speak up if they are being bullied or feel they might be in danger

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