How to keep your children safe
Follow these tips on how to keep your children safe from dangerous situations.
1. Always know where they are
No matter how old your child is, you should insist that they keep you updated on their whereabouts, no matter what time it is. Even if this means giving your 10-year-old a mobile phone to keep in touch, it’s still better to invest in a device that will keep you in touch with you child knowing that it will keep you at ease knowing where your child is when they’re out of the house.
2. Be sure that they’re never alone
It is important that your child is always with someone trust-worthy at all times. Never allow your kids to meet their friends at the park or end of the street alone. Malaysia is unfortunately no longer as safe as it once was, so you can never be sure what may happen. Besides, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Apart from the possibility of your child being kidnapped, your child may even have a little tumble or fall and hurt themselves without no one knowing. That is why it’s important to insist that your child is always in the company of someone reliable wherever they go!
3. Stranger danger
It is important to teach your kids never to interact with a stranger. Teach your kids that if they’re approached by a stranger, and they’re not comfortable, that they should follow these three steps: Run, Yell, and Tell.
4. Know the enemy
You should always keep an eye out for people who insist in being in the company of children. Kidnappers and child molesters always know where to find their victims. What is most disturbing is that some of them could even be a close friend.
5. Develop a closer relationship
Take note of your child’s moods, reaction and character on most days. If you notice something unusual, or if there’s a drastic difference in his or her moods, something could be wrong. Find out who they’ve spoken to, or met.
You should also let your child know that it’s okay to share secrets with you. It is the best way to prevent them from the dangers of abduction or even sexual abuse.
6. Create rules
You should teach your child a few things about their general safety. Make sure that they remember emergency contact numbers, especially the authorities as well as your number. It is also important to let them know about the dangers of kidnapping, so they understand why you have to be cautious about their safety. It is also essential that you establish strict rules about talking to strangers, going to people’s houses, or even letting people in when they’re alone at home.
Six-year-old went missing after looking for parents
Last Wednesday, the second of three siblings was reported missing in Jalan Putra Mahkota, Putra Heights when he and his siblings were left in the family car when his parents went to into an electrical store. William reportedly left the family car in search for his parents when his younger sister started crying, when his parents returned, he was nowhere to be found.
It is reported that no ransom has yet been demanded from his family to secure his release, according to Subang Jaya police chief ACP Yahaya Ramli.
He said the police believe that someone may have met William before hiding him at a location.
Get William home safe
“Apart from distributing pictures of the victim, an early warning system on missing children known as NUR Alert has also been activated,” Yahaya reportedly said.
William’s father, Yau Kok Kang, 32, appealed to those keeping or taking care of William to return him to the family safely or leave him in a safe location so that they can pick him up.
Those with information on the missing boy have been requested to contact the police at 03-56319800, 012-2197133 or Kok Kang at 016-9691616.
UPDATE: William’s highly decomposed body was found near Port Klang on January 25. Read more about William’s death and the police investigation here
Sources:
Police classify Zhen Zhong’s disappearance as ‘missing person report’
How to Protect Your Child from Kidnapping