Seven ‘Back to School’ safety tips
Getting back into the swing of the school routine after the long summer holiday is a challenge for most families, but apart from getting the children to class on time it’s important to keep up your good safety habits on the school run. Blue Security marketing manager Darren Lategan offers parents seven back to school safety tips to be safe at the school gate and on the school run.
1. Park Safely
Hijackers have targeted parents while fetching and dropping off their children at school, so be vigilant and make sure there are no suspicious characters hanging around where you plan to park or near your car before you leave.
2. Lock Up
Thieves smash car windows to steal school bags and sports kits which cost a small fortune to replace. Always lock school bags in the boot and drive off promptly because lingering in your car to read notes from the teacher or to check cellphone messages makes you vulnerable to criminals.
3. Check Doors
Remote jammers operate outside schools and in shopping mall parkades so always remember to manually check that your car’s doors are locked before walking away.
4. Wind Up
Check that car windows have been closed before dropping children off at school and avoid the stress and danger of having to stop on the side of the road to close a back passenger door window.
5. Obey Rules
If your children walk a short distance to school show them which places to avoid such as parks, vacant land or derelict buildings. Teach them to obey the traffic signals and to cross the road at a pedestrian crossing where a ‘lollipop’ man will help them to cross safely.
6. Report Strangers
Warn your children about the dangers of talking to strangers at the school gate and teach them never to accept any sweets from them and to always wait inside the school property for their lift home. Teach your children to report any suspicious stranger they might see lurking around the gate.
7. Get Help
Teach your children to memorise your landline telephone, cellphone and other important numbers such as for the SAPS flying squad (10111) and Blue Security (031 717 5000) or that of your security service provider so they know exactly where to turn for help in an emergency.