Keep your kids safe this festive season

We are officially winding down the year and have entered the festive season, as you can see from the festive decorations popping up on street corners and at offices. This is also the time a lot of miscreants try to play a fast one on unsuspecting people and children are more vulnerable, hence extra care is required, says child safety educator, Ugochi Obidiegwu.

She, however, listed some tips to help keep our kids safe:

. Do not leave children unattended in the car. Asides the fact that a thief/kidnapper can drive off with them in the car, if they accidentally lock themselves in the car, they can die from car heat

. Always keep valuables out of sight on the roads. You can have a dummy purse and phone such that if robbers waylay you in traffic and ask for them, you can hand it over knowing it’s the fake. They won’t be opening the purses to check which is real or fake at that time and that gives you some time

. Always be alert and conscious of your environment when in traffic. Keep car doors locked and windows up. If your air-conditioning system is not working, you need to be watchful to know when to raise your windows

.Teach your kids to stay calm and not distract you on the roads as a distraction could lead to accidents. Do not allow them to stand in a moving vehicle instead of keeping them engaged in activities.

The convener of the school safety summit, who also authored The Adventures of Muna, a safety cartoon book for kids, stressed that the holidays tend to have higher statistics for injuries and accidents both in and outside the home.

In the home, activities from shopping to cooking to travelling and other holiday activities can pose real dangers, especially if people are distracted. Some of the most common safety incidents during the holidays are:

Electrocution: Many of us would be bringing back Christmas lights used last year. Please check that there are no exposed wires or frayed edges to avoid electrocution. Also, get professionals to sort out your electrical tasks this period to be safe

Burn injuries: With holidays come lots of outdoor cooking in this part of the world most especially in villages. It is important to take proper precautions so that open flames do not lead to burn injuries.

Choking: Many young children will get action figures, dolls, and other toys with moveable parts for their holiday gifts. Without close supervision, a curious child may attempt to eat small bits of their toys which could lead to choking. Whenever you buy a present for your child or accept one from a family friend, review the instructions and packages to ensure there are no dangerous choking hazards.

Children-related incidents: To avoid kidnap, falls, molestation and other children related safety incidents, it is important to teach your children basic safety tips for different situations now. Teach them your phone number and your home address. If they get lost, let them know that they should seek help from uniformed adults compared to a random adult whose intentions may not be right. Also, encourage them to talk about their day and report all happenings. This helps you know when something goes wrong.

Obidiegwu noted that while the holiday is an opportunity for many people to travel either outside or within the state. Many others will stay put but will still go visiting for fun and bonding opportunities. Hence, children should be given utmost priorty to avoid being carried away with the fun the festive season presents.

“When travelling with kids, ensure they put on their seat-belts properly and are guarded in their seats to prevent any injures. Adults, too, should have their seat-belt well fastened, it is very important because it’s almost like your last line of defence in a mishap,” Obidiegwu added.

Wishing you a safe holiday season.