How to keep your children safe

2005-09-26 20:51

Cape Town - As the search for missing Western Cape child Veronique Solomons continued on Monday, police issued a list of helpful hints to worried parents and caregivers.

A mixture of common sense and old-fashioned advice, the list tells children not to talk to strangers or accept lifts or gifts from strangers, but it also urges families to develop safety strategies ahead of time.

Inspector Bernadine Steyn advises people to agree on a code word that is kept secret and is to be used by the child when there is doubt about a person claiming to fetch them in an emergency.

"They should not just go off with anyone who says mom or dad wants them.

"People must use their family code word first, then they will know that their parents know and trust the person," said Steyn.

"If they get lost when they are out shopping, they must go to the cashier or manager and ask for help.

Must not give out names

"They must not go out to the parking lot on their own to look for their parent's vehicle," she said.

Children must not let on that they are alone in the house if someone phones or comes to the door; they should not give out names of family members and must say that their parent is busy.

If someone comes to the house claiming to need the phone after an accident, the child must tell them to go to a police station.

Steyn said caregivers should know where their children are and at what time they will be home.

Get to know the children's friends and their parents and do not allow them to wander around after dark or play alone outside.

Tell children never to get into a stranger's vehicle and if approached by someone in a vehicle, to run in the opposite direction.

Tell them that they do not have to answer questions or give directions, or accept gifts from anyone, said Steyn.

"Encourage your children to tell you if an adult wants to play with them, or touch or hold them in a way that makes them feel funny or bad," Steyn said.

Tell them not to take shortcuts through veld or a park and never to play in back streets or deserted areas, even with a friend.

"They must also not accompany a stranger, friend or neighbour unless their parents says it is fine."

Steyn said parents should tell children to remember they have rights, too.

Toddler Albert Smith found alive

"They can say 'NO' if someone they don't know wants to give them a present or wants them to go for a ride in a strange car."

Western Cape police found missing toddler Albert Smith alive and a woman was due to appear in court on Monday in connection with his disappearance. He had been missing for a week.

Three-year-old Joey Joseph was found dead in bush near her home after disappearing from outside her house.

Veronique was last seen after school on a bicycle being pedalled by a man with tattoos.

- SAPA