It can be difficult to find the right balance between giving your teenager enough freedom for them to gain confidence and making sure they are safe.  

Ensuring that your teenager has the correct information about keeping safe will make them feel confident and you won't have to worry so much.

Out and about

• When they are out and about agree a time for them to get home or for you to collect them
• Remind them not to walk around alone at night or in isolated places
• Ensure that they keep their valuable safe and out of sight
• If they drive, remind them about wearing a seat beat and not drinking and driving

On the internet

Whether your teenager is using the internet for checking their social networking site, playing on multiplayer games or doing research for homework or coursework, it is very important that they keep a few safety tips in mind:

• never use their real name - ensure they know how important their identity is and that they should think about using an internet 'handle'
• don't reveal personal information - advise them not to be tempted to give out their phone number or address to people they meet on online forums or games
• be careful what they upload - once something is uploaded it may never be taken down. Any image that is uploaded can be saved by a third party, or stored on a server, even after the user marks it for deletion.

CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) has a  website 'Think u know' which has lots of tips and information for children, young people and parents about keeping safe while online.

In the home 

Lots of useful information leaflets and tips are available on the Avon Fire and Rescue Service website about safety in and out of the home.