Wees Veilig
Altyd en Orals

So many people say that “children are the future” without really knowing what that means.  They are at our mercy for protection and us teaching them how to be safe – ALWAYS AND EVERYWHERE! 

“No one has yet realized the wealth of sympathy, the kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure.” (Emma Goldman) 

Throughout the world, children and teenagers are seen as a group that needs special protection. That is because they are young and should remain unharmed until they are older and more able to cope with life and what it throws at them. But not all people agree that young people are special and should be laughing instead of crying and learning instead of doing nothing, also have time for play and relaxation. 

In a perfect world children would not have to face any hardships or societal challenges. Unfortunately we don’t inhabit such a world and our children are being exposed to a great deal of issues beyond their years. 

We commence the age appropriate presentation of this most imperative subject by understanding what “being safe” means from very small children to our Teenagers as all children are vulnerable and exploring all aspects of safety is crucial, and not applicable to just some children or certain societies. 

It is also very important for children of ALL ages to understand that being safe actually applies to each and every aspect of their lives and therefore some of the “be safe” environments we debate are amongst others the following: 

Safety at home: 

• Electrical equipment 
• Pharmaceuticals and broken glass 
• Hot things, like fires, irons, and saucepans or fry pans on stoves 
• Swimming pool and at the Beach – Slip, Slop, Slap 
• Learning to Fly like Superman 
• At Play – how to avoid an accident 

Home — it’s where children grow and learn, the place where they find comfort, love and care. It’s where they can see, touch, explore and experience the world around them, so their minds and bodies develop properly. It’s also a place where children need to feel safe. Not surprisingly, most accidents involving children occur in and around the home. 

• Safety at School 
• Bullies are found in most schools and communities  
• Friends – am I “in or out” 
• Safety in Public Areas 
• When I am out with my friends – e.g. Don’t hitch-hike, even with a friend. 
• Abduction – Don’t go into public conveniences unaccompanied. 
• Safety on the Internet and Social Media – do not underestimate how even small children can fall prey to this  
• Road Safety 
• Do I have to understand what some road signs mean, or is that just for Mommy and Daddy? 
• Traffic
• Riding my bicycle and skate boarding 
• How do I keep safe on Public Transport? 
• Personal Safety 
• Do I accept a cold drink, food and medicine from anyone? 
• Your body belongs to you!! 
• Have Emergency Numbers ready – do children know their own address? 
• Child Abuse 
• Substance Abuse – this starts so “innocently” 
• What if there is a fire – ‘Stop, drop and roll.’  
• Who’s that person? – From a child’s point of view, an unfamiliar face doesn’t necessarily mean anything bad. They see “strangers” all the time, and often witness adults talking with unfamiliar people.