To add insult to injury, the parent then receives a call from someone unknown saying that the child is in the hands of kidnappers demanding a huge ransom!
Such cases have become increasingly common around the country and there is need for parents to make their children’s security a top priority.
If you own a spacious compound where your young ones play with other children without an adult to watch over them, tell them not to allow a stranger to join them. Teach them to say no to strangers’ temptations such as snacks and sweets.
Also show them how to make phone calls in case of an emergency and have them memorise crucial phone numbers and physical addresses. This could help them in case they get lost within the neighbourhood.
Although it is not easy to prevent teenagers from meeting strangers, now there is an even more serious challenge for parents as social sites such as Facebook and Twitter have made this easier. Advise them about prudence in the use of these online platorms. Warn them against meeting strangers on ‘blind dates’ as the strangers could turn out to be dangerous thugs.
Teach them not to share family information with strangers, such as what the family owns.
Parents should also ensure that children left alone have enough food, and come home as soon as they can. Let them also know about all exit routes in the home and compound and how to use fire extinguishers in case of fire.
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