Child Security - There is More You Need to Know Now
The security and safety of our children has become increasingly important in our society.
Responsible parents and communities have always been aware of the dangers to children, and I think it is fair to say that communities have done the best they could to try and ensure that children were protected as much as possible.
But nowadays technology can reach our children in the home, at school and in public places, in fact almost anywhere.
Predatory crimes are increasing and children not only face enticement through the Internet, but also at school and by peer pressure, there are far more dangers presented to the children of today.
One way that we can prepare, and arm children with the necessary knowledge and awareness, is to make security a habit.
Security should be more than a term; it should be integrated into the way we raise our children, and be part of their lives, just like learning to read and write.
Teach your child simple security risk management just as you would teach them the alphabet.
Think how much more at ease you would feel, and how much safer your child could be as they grow into adulthood.
It is not fear that you would be instilling, but rather confidence, and the ability to weigh up a situation and manage it with the correct course of action.
Breaches of security, children going missing and accidents are all caused by trusting strangers.
'Stranger Danger' as it was first called, is still very relevant and should be taught to children at an early age so that it is embedded into a child's way of thinking.
However, in saying this, it is natural for children to trust other people, especially friendly adults, and adults that bear gifts.
This can be hard to change, but you can start with some simple security measures.
Some basics that will go a long way in ensuring security 1.
Make sure you child knows their own full name, and all the names of their parents and siblings.
If in another culture, make sure they know these names in the different languages.
roof and tie it to their clothing, (a good place is in the pocket) to avoid it getting lost.
3.
Give your child a mobile phone and/or phone card.
Make sure that this phone has all the emergency contacts on speed dial.
4.
Teach your child to use the phone properly, be confident with it, and know the best possible way to make descriptions of where they could be and what the problem may be.
Practice this often.
5.
Have your child's name in the collar of the clothing and pockets.
6.
Teach your child about home security, when to answer the door, how to answer the door securely, and what to watch out for when answering the door.
7.
Tell them what they should watch for when playing in the street or in parks with friends.
8.
Teach them phone answering rules for the home.
For example, not to give your address out, their name or your names, or give any information to anyone that they do not know.
They should know to ask you to deal with all such issues.
9.
Teach them that accepting gifts, food, drink from anyone but close family is strictly not allowed, unless you give the OK.
10.
Make sure that your child always lets you know where they are, who they are playing with, and if they are leaving the front gate.
Responsible parents and communities have always been aware of the dangers to children, and I think it is fair to say that communities have done the best they could to try and ensure that children were protected as much as possible.
But nowadays technology can reach our children in the home, at school and in public places, in fact almost anywhere.
Predatory crimes are increasing and children not only face enticement through the Internet, but also at school and by peer pressure, there are far more dangers presented to the children of today.
One way that we can prepare, and arm children with the necessary knowledge and awareness, is to make security a habit.
Security should be more than a term; it should be integrated into the way we raise our children, and be part of their lives, just like learning to read and write.
Teach your child simple security risk management just as you would teach them the alphabet.
Think how much more at ease you would feel, and how much safer your child could be as they grow into adulthood.
It is not fear that you would be instilling, but rather confidence, and the ability to weigh up a situation and manage it with the correct course of action.
Breaches of security, children going missing and accidents are all caused by trusting strangers.
'Stranger Danger' as it was first called, is still very relevant and should be taught to children at an early age so that it is embedded into a child's way of thinking.
However, in saying this, it is natural for children to trust other people, especially friendly adults, and adults that bear gifts.
This can be hard to change, but you can start with some simple security measures.
Some basics that will go a long way in ensuring security 1.
Make sure you child knows their own full name, and all the names of their parents and siblings.
If in another culture, make sure they know these names in the different languages.
roof and tie it to their clothing, (a good place is in the pocket) to avoid it getting lost.
3.
Give your child a mobile phone and/or phone card.
Make sure that this phone has all the emergency contacts on speed dial.
4.
Teach your child to use the phone properly, be confident with it, and know the best possible way to make descriptions of where they could be and what the problem may be.
Practice this often.
5.
Have your child's name in the collar of the clothing and pockets.
6.
Teach your child about home security, when to answer the door, how to answer the door securely, and what to watch out for when answering the door.
7.
Tell them what they should watch for when playing in the street or in parks with friends.
8.
Teach them phone answering rules for the home.
For example, not to give your address out, their name or your names, or give any information to anyone that they do not know.
They should know to ask you to deal with all such issues.
9.
Teach them that accepting gifts, food, drink from anyone but close family is strictly not allowed, unless you give the OK.
10.
Make sure that your child always lets you know where they are, who they are playing with, and if they are leaving the front gate.
