Generic photo - Photo - The Conversation
Two young American boys threw into action using their martial arts skills to save their brother and help their grandfather keep all three safe in the face of a would-be attacker. Story - Pix 11.
An amazing story. Although you wouldn’t
encourage children to put themselves in the way of danger but they were able to
make a huge difference in this particular case.
Kids fighting crime:
Here is some information on how families
can avert crime:
There is definitely
more alarming incidents of crime against families world-wide.
And the above
situation of the two small boys intervening because the situation called for
it, is not always possible and could put more children at risk:
1. Don’t trust anyone you don’t know
Teach children not to trust anyone they don’t know well. Although other people may seem friendly and nice, they should learn to be discerning, too. Encourage your kids to let you know right away if someone tries to talk to them or ask them to do something that feels strange.
2. Know your emergency numbers – and memorise them if you could.
There is often too much dependency on technology. If someone tries to snatch your bag or asks you to hand over your phone to them – where your contacts list is – chances are, you wouldn’t be able to call your family members to warn them about the incident if you don’t know their numbers. Having a list of important numbers to call is essential, but knowing at least one family member’s number by heart could be a life-saver.
Teach children not to trust anyone they don’t know well. Although other people may seem friendly and nice, they should learn to be discerning, too. Encourage your kids to let you know right away if someone tries to talk to them or ask them to do something that feels strange.
2. Know your emergency numbers – and memorise them if you could.
There is often too much dependency on technology. If someone tries to snatch your bag or asks you to hand over your phone to them – where your contacts list is – chances are, you wouldn’t be able to call your family members to warn them about the incident if you don’t know their numbers. Having a list of important numbers to call is essential, but knowing at least one family member’s number by heart could be a life-saver.
3. Be involved in your kids’ activities.
Get to know other families your children spend time with. Attend school activities, events and other activities your child is involved in.
4. Listen to your children.
Ask how their day went. Pay attention to what they say. For younger kids, this is the best way to learn about what happens when mum or dad is not around. If your child brings up an incident in school that sounds disturbing, set an appointment with the teacher to discuss.
5. Keep some things private.
Some things are just best left private. Remind your family and house staff (nanny or housekeeper) not to divulge any detailed information like the child’s school, schedule/routine, places that the family frequents and other such information. You never know who could be listening to conversations.
Get to know other families your children spend time with. Attend school activities, events and other activities your child is involved in.
4. Listen to your children.
Ask how their day went. Pay attention to what they say. For younger kids, this is the best way to learn about what happens when mum or dad is not around. If your child brings up an incident in school that sounds disturbing, set an appointment with the teacher to discuss.
5. Keep some things private.
Some things are just best left private. Remind your family and house staff (nanny or housekeeper) not to divulge any detailed information like the child’s school, schedule/routine, places that the family frequents and other such information. You never know who could be listening to conversations.
6. Always wait in well-lit and crowded areas to wait. If a child has to wait to be picked up from school or sports, which sometimes cannot be avoided. Tell the child to stay at a place where school staff or coaching staff or security can easily see him/her, or stay with a group of friends in a common area.
7. Limit what you share on social media.
Take a moment to think before you click that ‘share’ button for the whole World Wide Web to see. How much information do you need to divulge? I know you’re proud of your son’s achievements in school, but maybe you can opt to not include a picture of his section or ID number in the photo. You can also check your privacy settings. Most social networking sites provide this feature. This way, you can select what you share, and only to family and trusted friends.
8. Always have someone you trust watching your kids. Anything can happen in the blink of an eye. Parents and guardians need to be alert and aware at all times, especially if in a crowded area. It has become very alarmingly rampant for abductions to happen in malls, so always have an eye on your children. Nothing is ever more important than your child’s safety.
9. Teach your kids how to say their name, age, phone number and address – and who to tell it to.
At an early age, you can already train your kids to know important information about them. This comes in handy when they’re lost or need help. However, it’s also important to teach them who to approach in such a situation, like a security guard in uniform, or the person manning the mall’s information booth.
10. Talk to your child about the dangers of abduction in a non-threatening way.
Never hide the truth. Parents should always be open to their children especially when talking about the dangers out there. What’s important is that it is explained in a non-threatening way. Keep it factual, and empower them by teaching them what to do in case such a thing happens. Role-play if you feel it’s necessary. Empowerment and knowledge is key.
11. Always double check locked windows and doors.
Be it at home or in the car, always make sure all doors and windows are locked as soon as you get in.
12. Remind your child-minders, nanny, baby-sitter not to entertain anyone they don’t know unless you left word about it.
Even if it requires you to remind them constantly, always tell child-minders or whoever is left at home with the kids to never entertain people that are not expected.
13. Invest on a CCTV camera.
They are your ‘eyes’ and ‘ears’, especially when you have to be away from home. Remember that a few nannies or child-minders have been caught on camera physically hurting their wards, so a CCTV camera will tell you what your child, who is yet to speak, couldn’t.
14. Be social media savvy.
Be up to date on important service announcements or issues that may be of good use to you and your family. Learn from the experience of others. Stay safe and be informed.
15. Keep a good distance from someone in a car asking for directions.
This is important, especially if it’s a heavily tinted one. Raise your voice to be heard, or if you feel uncomfortable, don’t say anything at all. You are not obliged to give directions.
16. There is no need to open your window all the way down, when asking for directions.
The inside of your vehicle is your safe zone. Don’t let anyone cross it.
17. Carry a handheld or pocket-sized pepper spray.
Your family’s best defense is a quick and reliable one. You can purchase a pocket pepper spray at some stores.
18. Pray.
Because you need all the help you can get.
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