Child Safety Department highlights safe steps during winter

As part of its annual Winter Campaign, the Child Safety Department (CSD), an affiliate of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, conducted field visits in Al Rahmaniyah to raise family awareness and highlight practical ways to enjoy winter responsibly while prioritising essential safety measures.

Held in collaboration with Sharjah Police, Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Civil Defence, and the Sharjah Social Services Department, the campaign focused on four key pillars: Bicycle safety, Fire prevention, Medication safety, and Nanny Guidelines.

Each addressed specific safety concerns, offering practical advice and resources to empower families and ensure children’s well-being across various aspects of daily life.

Ensuring a safe environment for children

Commenting on the initiative, Hanadi Al Yafei, Director General of CSD, underlined the critical importance of collaborative efforts among stakeholders to safeguard children and foster a secure and sustainable environment for them.

Children distribute kits raising safety awareness among residents.

She reaffirmed the department’s commitment to working closely with its partners to align efforts and enhance cooperation through targeted initiatives and awareness programmes designed to raise community awareness and provide guidance on mitigating potential risks faced by children in their daily activities.

Al Yafei also highlighted that modern recreational means pose an increasing challenge to child safety officials, underscoring the need for vigilant monitoring and adherence to safety standards.

She said: “CSD, in collaboration with its partners, is dedicated to offering clear and actionable guidance to parents and children on the safe use of recreational means, ensuring our cities and neighbourhoods remain safe environments that support the growth and development of children.”

Bicycle Safety

The campaign emphasised the importance of adhering to safety protocols to protect children while cycling. Key recommendations included wearing helmets and safety gear, using designated lanes, avoiding restricted or public roads, moderating speed, and choosing bicycles suited to the child’s skill level.

Hanadi Al Yafei

Fire prevention

The Fire Prevention pillar highlighted the need to install smoke detectors and create escape plans in case of emergencies. Families were advised to avoid leaving lit candles unattended, smoking indoors, or placing flammable material near heat sources. The importance of maintaining safe electrical outlets and appliances was also stressed.

Medication safety

It also addressed medication safety, recommending that medicines be stored appropriately and out of children’s reach, checking expiration dates, and following prescribed dosages. Adults were urged to handle all medication administration and follow instructions.

Domestic worker guidelines

The campaign distributed Nanny Guidelines brochures with instructions to ensure children’s safety during travel. These included using child car seats, fastening seat belts, activating rear door safety locks, and supervising children when exiting vehicles. The brochures also highlighted the dangers of leaving children unattended in cars, the importance of checking for obstacles before moving vehicles and memorising emergency contact numbers.

The Field Visit to Al Qulaya’a Nursery

In February, CSD will conduct a field visit to Al Qulaya’a Nursery. The initiative will focus on raising awareness about the importance of using child car seats to ensure children's safety during transportation. This effort aligns with the department's commitment to fostering a culture of prevention and ensuring a safe environment for children in vehicles.