Sharjah: This summer, your children may go all out with their activities but don’t compromise on their safety.
The hot summer environment, increased risk of accidents, and other factors in the outside world need to be tackled with caution to ensure all children are safe. Sharjah’s Child Safety Campaign has been launched for these reasons.
The campaign is an initiative of Sharjah’s Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA), and operates under the directives and patronage of Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairperson of SCFA.
The campaign aims to raise awareness about the risks of accidents involving children and how they can be prevented during the summer break. It seeks to fully involve parents and guardians in playing their part in keeping children safe and happy.
“Summer holidays are a great time for children to enjoy good times while on holiday with family or out with friends. Likewise, we know that children are exposed to unsafe environments and often have more freedom in the summer to go out and enjoy the holidays,” said Hanadi Saleh Al Yafei, department director at SCFA and head of the Organising Committee of the Child Safety Campaign.
“With this in mind, we have launched this campaign to promote ways that will create an ideal social environment, which guarantees children’s full rights and safety and enables them to enjoy their childhood,” said Al Yafei.
Parents need to keep an eye out for their children, especially when taking them out to crowded areas such as shopping malls, parks, festivals, and large gatherings. Children, if not watched at all times, may wander off and get lost. The problem is compounded if they don’t have their parents’ phone numbers memorised, or have not been taught what to do if they ever get lost.
Earlier this month, the campaign organisers held a two-day training workshop for supervisors and employees from several government institutions in Sharjah on how they can best deliver the campaign’s message to children on cyber security. A total of 47 employees and supervisors attended the training, and learnt about the most effective measures to protect children from online viruses and how children can stay safe while using the internet.
Parents must also learn and practise emergency procedures and learn how to perform a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In case of serious incidents, they should not hesitate to call the police or the ambulance by dialling 999 and get help. A quick response by parents in implementing these safety tips during an emergency is key to ensuring their child’s well-being.
Box: Tips for parents and guardians to avoid risks
Teach your children not to enter a stranger’s vehicle or accept any offers for a lift from strangers. Always inform your children in advance about who will be picking them up.
Keep an eye on children at all times, especially in crowded and public places. Parents/guardians should not get distracted from their children, or allow them to play without supervision.
In shopping malls and crowded areas, younger children should be wearing ID bracelets mentioning the child’s full name and your contact details.
Make children memorise essential personal details like their full name, address and their parents’ phone numbers, which will aid them in finding their parents in case they are lost.
Get to know children’s friends and meet their parents.
Teach children to identify and handle potentially dangerous situations. Saying ‘no’ loudly, running away, yelling as loud as they can, and asking trusted people for help are essentials. Children must learn to check with their parents before going anywhere.
At home, don’t leave your children unattended, especially the younger ones. Keep your windows and balcony doors locked when not in use. Childproof your house.
Ensure that there are no kids around your vehicle, especially in blind spots, before starting the ignition. This is essential as sometimes the smaller ones may not be visible in the rear-view or side mirrors.
Keep an eye on your kids when they are swimming. On the beach, even older children who know how to swim should not be left unattended as they are at risk of being caught in strong currents. For the young ones who are still learning, they must use proper flotation devices and always be accompanied by their parents.
