Does your home’s youngest resident know how to keep safe from criminals? If he is old enough to write his name, use the phone, and recite his address, then he is old enough to learn a few pint-sized security protocols. Teach these on a lazy afternoon, and keep it light. Set out to make your little learner feel empowered, not threatened. A scoop of ice cream at the end of a lesson couldn’t hurt.

So what are the best protocols to teach?

First, she needs to know how and when to dial 911. You can use a dummy phone for this exercise. Act out some emergency scenarios that require her to make the call– a fire in the kitchen, a stranger trying to open the door, an injured parent… Teach her what to say to the dispatcher, which departments to ask for, how to state the nature of the emergency. And be sure that her address and phone number are perfectly clear to the person on the other end of the line.

Second, teach him all about door safety. He should never, ever open the door to a stranger, especially if you are not home. He needs to know that even if the person

on the other side of the door looks like a police officer or a firefighter, he can only open if you give him permission. Teach him how to lock every door and window in the house, and teach him to keep every lock fastened when he is alone at home.

Third, be clear about what can and cannot be shared on the internet. Full names, pictures, addresses, location, school information, phone numbers, private email addresses… all of these things should require your express permission before your child can share them on the internet. Help her to learn to treat these pieces of information like private treasures. They are hers, and should not be shared with anyone who is not proven trustworthy.