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As babies become children, parents face a whole new set of worries. Our natural instinct might be to keep our kids wrapped up in cotton wool, but it's important that we help our children learn how to stay safe while they're out and about.

All children in the UK between five and 16 years of age are entitled to a state school place. In most areas, children start school at around four and a half and move to secondary school aged 11.

When to start
It might surprise you to learn that a three-year-old is capable of learning safety basics. It's helpful for kids to learn safety information at the same time as their friends. So talk to other parents and try and teach the same thing at the same time for maximum effectiveness.

Where to start
Children need to learn who they are and where they live, so make sure they know their name and address. To begin with, try making it a game. This works well with a group of similar-age friends. For instance: "Who lives at 1 Camborne Road?" Visual aids are effective, so point out the number or name on the front of your house, or the street or village name. As they become more confident, add your name, plus a phone number - though they probably won't remember all of this accurately until they're around five.

At this age you can also start introducing rules. Keep them simple. For instance, "Never go off with anyone you don't know - not even a child"; "Never go somewhere I can't see you"; or "Always hold hands when crossing the road".

Getting lost
Most adults can remember getting lost at some point during their childhood. For me, I was in a clothes shop and my mum was just the other side of a clothes rail, but I still remember how frightening it was.

Children need to know what to do when they get lost, and they need to know how (and whom) to ask for help. Help them to learn how to identify people that they could ask for help: for instance, a police officer in uniform; a shop assistant with a name badge; or a mum with a child. Write their name on the inside of their clothing, and consider putting a piece of paper with your name and mobile phone number in their pocket and telling them it's there.

If they do get lost, it's important that they don't panic. Tell your child to first stand still and look around. If they can see you, tell them to call out. If not, they need to ask someone to help. In a shop, teach them to find the checkout if they can't see anyone to ask. If they get lost out on the street, make sure they know to go into the nearest shop and ask for help.

Strangers
These days, there is mixed opinion on whether it's OK to tell children not to talk to strangers. It's your call as a parent, so consider your options. Classing everyone a child doesn't know well as a stranger could cause irrational fears about the world and people around them. Younger kids sometimes misunderstand the term "stranger" - they can visualise it in storybook terms; someone in dark clothes with a mean expression.

However, your child still needs to know that they must never go anywhere, or get into a car with someone they don't know. Explain to them that if they ever feel scared it's OK to shout, scream, kick and run away.

Road safety basics
As soon as your child makes the transition from buggy to walking, make sure they learn the basics of road safety.

- On pavements, make sure they hold your hand and don't let them run ahead
- Look out for hidden entrances and driveways that cross pavements; teach them to treat any lane or driveway as a road
- Ensure they walk on the inside of the pavement - away from the traffic
- Teach them that cars don't see them easily as they are small
- Make them extra aware of reversing vehicles

Crossing the road
You can begin to teach the Green Cross Code at the age of three, although children should not be allowed to cross a road alone until they are around eight years old.

- Set a good example; always choose safe places to cross and explain what you're doing
- Tell your child that it's safest to cross at a pedestrian crossing or where there's a lollipop person - and explain why
- Involve your child in your decision about when it's safe to cross
- Use the Green Cross Code - see the DirectGov Stop Look Listen Live website for lots of interactive information
- Remind kids to concentrate when crossing the road - help them by not chatting to them when crossing
- Explain that if there's an island in the middle of the road they must treat each half as a separate road
- Make sure they're aware of motorbikes and cyclists as well as vehicles
- Remind them that it's not safe to play on, or near roads

Older children
As kids get older, we have to teach them to make their own judgements. This means helping them to recognise what might be an unsafe situation. Role-play games can be useful. Ask questions. For instance: "If you were walking home from Sarah's house, would you walk down the main road or cut through the alley?" However, don't interrogate them - get them to suggest scenarios to you.

General tips
- Encourage coping and independence from a young age
- Let your child take controlled risks to build confidence. For example, crossing a pedestrian-crossing alone by the age of seven
- Encourage good communication - always know what your child is doing because they're happy to tell you, not because you interrogate them
- Discuss safety with other parents and make sure you're all using the same messages