A mum from Christchurch has issued a warning to other parents after a shocking discovery on her child’s walkie talkie.
The walkie talkie, purchased from Kmart as a Christmas gift, picked up a strange and disturbing transmission – a man making “sexual moaning noises” and using explicit language.
The Alarming Incident
The mum was making dinner when she heard the strange noises coming from the walkie talkie. She was alarmed to hear the man making “clear sexual innuendos” and saying things like “Do you like sausages? Mmmm, I’m coming for you.
I’m coming over to you now”. The transmission went on for several minutes, leaving the mum worried and frightened. She immediately locked the doors and called the police.
How Safe are Walkie Talkies?
The product’s packaging claimed that it had a distance of 300m, leading the mum to believe that the person was close by.
However, the police explained that if the other person had a stronger radio frequency, they could be much further away.
This means that they could still transmit messages, but the children wouldn’t be able to respond. This raises serious concerns about the safety and security of walkie talkies, especially when used by children.
Kmart’s Response
Kmart has responded to the incident, stating that “toy-grade walkie talkies conform to public UHF CB radio standards” and that “occasional interference is not a defect in the product itself”.
However, the company advises parents to exercise discretion and supervise how their children use the device.
Not an Isolated Incident
This is not the first time a mum has been left distressed due to UHF walkie talkies. A similar incident occurred in South Australia, where a mum was watching her two sons ride their bike with a friend.
One of the parents heard a voice they didn’t recognize on the channel, telling one of the children to go to the playground. The child obeyed, thinking it was one of the parents messing around, but fortunately, nothing sinister happened.
What Parents Need to Know
The incident highlights the importance of parental supervision and discretion when it comes to children using walkie talkies.
While walkie talkies can be a fun and exciting way for children to communicate, they can also pose a risk to their safety and security. Parents need to be aware of the potential dangers and take steps to protect their children.