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Article Aussie Nannies are training to handle terrorism and kidnap attempts

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Nannies are being taught how to handle a terrorism attack or attempted child abduction.

You would only expect such high security to be used for nannies to the royals or high-profile families, but a growing number of Australian nannies are signing up for the classes just in case, reports Daily Telegraph.

“You’re more vulnerable when caring for someone else’s child,” Australian Nanny Association president Annemarie Sansom said.

“A lot of the training is about contingency planning and being aware of your surroundings to avoid panic.”

Nannies from agencies Night Nannies and White Glove Services started the training at Bondi last week, with the first lesson when faced with danger: “Don’t worry about trying to save the Bugaboo pram — remove your children first.”

“The specialist security trainers go through scenarios and planning with the nannies. It could be that someone approaches the child in a park — last year there was an attack on a baby in a pram,” she said.

“If a predator is in a park and they do snatch a child, nannies are told not to just scream, but to shout: ‘I don’t know that person! Stop them!’

“The advice is to forget about materialistic items, dump those and remove yourself and the child from the situation.”

“If we had had this conversation 12 months ago, people might have thought it was over the top but we have got to the point where we have to be prepared for anything.”

Do you think similar defence classes should be aimed at parents too?

Share your comments below.

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  • it is reasonable to keep calm and deal with the situation and this training will be very useful! instead of getting upset, they will have a sense of how to act

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  • It’s understandable this type of training is starting to be offered in Australia. Though I must say that years ago when I myself worked as a nanny, I found other nannys were extremely protective of their charges – even more so because we were caring for other people’s children. It makes you more aware of all safety issues and having contingency plans in any emergency. A responsible nanny apprecies these issues very highly when your job is to care for and protect someone else’s child. Since becoming a parent myself, I’ve noticed that nannys do a great job with caring for others children – it’s a tough gig when they’re your own kids!!

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  • Sounds fair there seems to be a growing number of incidents.

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  • Those who work in USA also have to complete fire safety and first aid courses

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  • That only stands to reason I guess

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  • It looks like a great project. And in my idea it should definitely be addressed to parents too. We always have something to learn!

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  • I suppose that when it’s necessary for nannies to receive training to handle terrorism and kidnap-attempts, it’s good to train parents as well. Sad and crazy world we live in !

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  • Guess it had to come to this, but so terrible that the free and easy Australia I used to know has had to come to this stage.

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  • A great idea that may well come in handy.

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  • I imagine this could e useful in all sorts of situations.

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  • What a worrying world we are living in.

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  • Makes me shake my head that people have to be taught not not worry about stuff when there are lives at risk. The pram shouldn’t get a second thought.

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