How to ensure safety of your kids when at home and in school

Parents’ main goal is to ensure that their children are healthy and safe. That is why, being primary care providers, they do their best to achieve the objective.

But parents cannot be there all day to protect their children. They delegate the responsibility to other caregivers, mostly nannies and teachers. But are our schools safe for our kids today?

According to Ms. Beatrice Nyaruri, a director of a private school in Nairobi, ‘most private schools are more secure than public or government-run schools. In the latter, this could be due to poor management and lack of funds.’

So, how can parents be sure of their children’s safety when they leave them in school? ‘Every school needs to have proper systems in place to ensure there is enough security for children. By nature, kids are exploring beings and adventure contributes greatly to their development. Adequate supervision and safety measures are necessary to ensure that they play and explore their environment free of injury or accidents. Every school should keep playgrounds safe by getting rid of sharp objects that could injure a child. Simple steps like having a stout fence and security guard at the gate could make all the difference,’ says Ms Nyaruri.

‘In my school, I have two teachers minding the gate when children arrive in the morning with the van. One makes sure the kids get off the bus safely and confirms their identity while the other ensures they get to their classes on time. The same happens in the evening, guaranteeing the child is handed over to the right parent or nanny,’ she adds.

One of the most important aspects of security is the identification process which acquaints the school with the child’s guardians. This is more so because of rising cases of child abuse and abduction. ‘In case a parent changes the nanny, we ensure he or she informs us and provides proper documentation and contacts for her,’ shares the director.

She continues: ‘Kids are vulnerable to attacks because of their naivety It is crucial to teach them basic safety skills to keep them safe.’ There are three simple skills every child needs to know.

1. Quick thinking – teach the child how to assess danger and manoeuvre out of trouble.
2. Resistance – self-defence through screaming, kicking or biting.
3. Grouping – to stay with others as most attacks happen when a child is isolated.

Tips for parents 
To ensure the safety of kids, parents or guardians should do the following:

• Pay attention – know the child’s daily routine. It could alert you if there is a problem. Kids can be lured to dangerous online sites that could pose harm to them. Know what your child is up to, especially when he or she is alone.
• Knowledge – know the child’s habits and preferences. This could inform you when something is amiss. This information should be relayed to the teachers and the nanny Also know who they interact with – friends or neighbours.
• Communicate – initiate conversations and listen to their pleas. Ms. Nyaruri shares: ‘As a teacher, I have set time daily for open discussions with the kids to assist with their issues. I have also trained my staff to equip kids with simple safety tips like identifying and reporting abuse, avoiding strangers and never to leave the compound without adult supervision.’
• Comfort – reassure the child in case he or she encounters danger. Believe in what he or she tells you, especially if it is true. This protects his or her self- confidence. Avoid alarming the child; Just let him or her know you are there to protect him or her.
• Limits – set boundaries of places and people they are allowed to access.
• Know where your child is at all times.
• Trust – let the child know that your goal is to keep him or her safe. Teach him or her to seek permission before going anywhere. Let him or her understand the value of adult supervision and staying safe.
• Practice – all these tips may be in vain if not put into practice Kids recall better when they practice what they are told. Using these tips every day with your child makes safety a practical exercise.

Tips for kids
Here are some things you can teach kids to keep them safe:

• Names – ensure the children know their names and those of their parents and can pronounce them correctly.
• Contacts – save phone numbers of key people like the parents on the speed dial on your phone .Show them how to contact you, a relative or to dial 999 (for the police) in case of an emergency
• Speak – to open up and express any fears concerning a place or person. Encourage them not to keep secrets and to speak whenever they are concerned about something.
• Strangers – teach them that strangers are both people they do not know well and people they see daily like the gardener or security guard. Advise them not to be too comfortable with anyone, no matter how familiar they are with him or her.
• Isolation – to avoid wandering off to unknown places or speaking to people alone. To stick in the company of other kids or a supervising adult.
• Roads – never to cross a road alone or go near cars passing by. To never accept a lift from anyone or take a shortcut to isolated places.
• Self-defence – in case of an attack, to scream as he or she runs away from the attacker to attract a by-stander’s attention.
• Internet – avoid visiting chat rooms or any other un authorised sites to avoid child predators Avoid giving personal information to strangers online. Parents should supervise and block inappropriate sites.

Consequences of laxity
Being cautious and establishing safety measures is not an option, especially when it comes to children in school. Laxity in this matter could lead to serious repercussions.

According to Ms. Nyaruri, ‘kids tend to wander off, especially when they are new in school. Newcomers find it hard to cope with the new environment due to anxiety and fear.’

1.Abduction
When a school does not provide adequate security like identity verification,it could lead to abduction of kids. There have been cases of nannies or estranged spouses abducting kids from home or school.

2.Abuse
Unsupervised kids are more exposed to dangers like child abuse. Child abuse cases have risen nationally and the culprits are no longer just strangers but also relatives. Parents need to verify the records of people or places they leave children.

3.Accidents
Children are prone to injuries but serious injuries happen when no one is paying attention. ‘I advise parents to be extra vigilant especially at home by training their nannies basic First Aid skills. This comes in handy in case your child falls sick or suffers a serious injury,’ concludes Ms. Nyaruri

END: BL 43/28-29