Parents want their children to be safe at home, at school and in public places. However, child safety is never guaranteed and parents must always be aware of the protection their children may need.

The following tips can help parents to protect their children:

Safety at home

  • Children should know their full names, home phone numbers or parents’ cell phone numbers and how to use the telephone. Display your contact information – office phone number, cell phone, pager, etc. – in a prominent place where your children can easily see it.
  • Children should have a trusted adult to call if they’re scared or have an emergency.
  • Choose babysitters with care. Obtain references from family, friends and neighbours. Once you have appointed the caregiver, drop in unexpectedly to see how your children are doing. Ask your children how they experience the caregiver, and listen carefully to their responses.

Safety in the neighbourhood

  • Make a list together with your children of your neighbourhood boundaries, choosing significant landmarks so that they can’t get lost.
  • Interact regularly with your neighbours. Tell your children whose homes they are allowed to visit.
  • Don’t drop your children off without supervision at malls, movie theatres, video arcades or parks.
  • Teach your children that adults should not approach children for help or directions. Tell your children that when that happens, they should stay alert because it may be a trick.
  • Never leave children unattended in a car. Children should never hitchhike or approach a car when they don’t know or trust the driver.
  • Children should never go anywhere with anyone without getting their parents’ permission first.

Safety at school

  • Be careful when you put your child’s name on clothing, backpacks, lunch boxes, etc. When a child’s name is visible, it may put him or her on a first-name basis with an abductor.
  • Walk the route to and from school with your children, pointing out landmarks and safe places to go when they’re being followed or need help. Draw a map together with your children, showing acceptable routes to school, using main roads and avoiding shortcuts or isolated areas. If your children take a bus, visit the bus stop with them and make sure they know which bus to take.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about your child’s safety.