Child Safety Outdoors

In contrast to the wealth of child safety "indoor" videos on the market, Child Safety Outdoors does a good job of pointing out dangers as near as the front yard or street corner. Divided into seven segments, the program uses dramatic re-enactments to demonstrate safety techniques in crowded places, on rollerblades and skateboards, on bicycles, in parks and playgrounds, near water, as a pedestrian, and inside the car. The program offers a good mix of general advice and specific tips (like having parents and children agree to an assigned meeting place in the mall should they become separated). Near the end of the program there is an error that most parents will recognize as such, when the narrator asks "at what age should a child be allowed to ride without a seat belt?" The answer, of course, should be "never." But the narrator meant to say "car seat" not "seat belt." One other quibble: the videocassette label carries the following notice-- "WARNING! This tape contains CopyBug. Any duplication attempt could damage your VCR." This is total bull. While I sympathize with copyright owners' concerns over duplication, I don't think that lying to the public about bogus technology is the correct approach (they're already confused enough). Aside from these factors, Child Safety Outdoors is a good program, and is recommended. (R. Pitman)