The theme for this year’s #ChildSafetyWeek is “Family life today: where is the risk?” At the just concluded #SchoolSafetySummit some of our speakers shared on how we can play an active role in reducing risks to all children.

1) Mrs Abolaji Gbadamosi stressed that all children want to feel loved and those with special needs have same body organs as those without. Therefore, to reduce sexual molestation in those quarters, the children need to be taught specialised body safety tips that suit their disability.

2) Mrs Lola Aneke stated that parents and teachers must engage in role play to show the children expected behaviour. They must show them both positive and negative consequences so that they learn.

3) Miss Obianuju Nwadialor stated that parents must take the initiative to research on the risks peculiar to their children and be proactive towards protecting them

4) AVM Femi Gbadebo stated that in the case of children with special needs, the parents need to accept the child first, then the siblings and other members of the community. Acceptance makes it easy to go through other steps that will reduce safety risks to the child.

5) Barr Taiwo Akinlami stated that parents have a responsibility to ask questions. The risk to the child and family life can come from school. Therefore parents need to ask the schools about their child protection policies.

Feel free to download my free e-book titled Child Safety 101: a guide to keeping children safe in an African home on www.thesafetychic.com