What are the best "starter" websites?

Three things are important when evaluating websites for little ones: age-appropriate games and activities that won't frustrate your child, audio instructions for pre-readers, and little or no advertising.

Sites that emphasize early learning, positive social skills, and imagination are all great for little ones. Aggressive characters, flashing graphics, and ads for junk food and pricey toys aren't.

What's the right age for my kids to go online?

Whether boredom, curiosity, or a desire to learn has prompted your kids' online adventures, the age they begin is entirely up to you. These guidelines will give you a good start:

• Always sit with little kids while they're online so you can explain things.
• Put a time limit on your sessions (habits get instilled early).
• Find age-appropriate sites with high learning potential.

Time of day matters, too. Avoid just-before-bed computer time. It can be stimulating and interrupt sleep.

What are kids' Web browsers -- and do I need one?

Kids' Web browsers typically offer a selection of kid-friendly content including videos, games, and activities. Some provide a closed environment with no access to the wider Internet, while others use a search filter that will return only age-appropriate results. Most cost money.

For some families, they may be a good short-term investment -- like training wheels for the Internet. One downside is that kids can outgrow them quickly -- and determined kids can defeat them. And you still need to teach responsible Internet use even if your kids use their own browser.

Should I let my kids play on company brand sites?

Engagement -- getting kids to interact with brands online -- is the name of the game in today's marketing environment. Games, activities, contests, and Facebook pages are all ploys to increase engagement. And yes, kids are taking the bait. Here's a strategy to manage these requests: Ask your kids to write down the website address on a piece of paper (or keep a list). Tell them you'll visit the site and check it out for them. If you like it, bookmark it for them so they can go straight to the site with your permission.

What are the essential Internet safety basics for kids?

Do 

• Ask your parents if you can use the Internet
• Have basic social skills
• Understand the site's rules and know how to flag other users for misbehavior
• Recognize "red flags," like if someone asks you personal questions like your name and address

Don't 

• Go online without a parent's permission
• Share passwords
• Pretend to be someone else
• Share personal details, like name and address
• Be mean

How do I teach my kids to recognize online advertising?

It can be hard to tell, especially because many ads are disguised as games. Good websites will label any ad as such, and will notify users when they are leaving the site and going to an advertisement. Explain to your kids that ads can sometimes install bad things on your computer and that even though some may be fun to play, they are actually trying to get Mom and Dad to buy something. Here are some things that typically identify ads:

• The word "ad" or "advertisement"
• Strobe effects, flashing graphics, "shaky" windows
• "Pop-ups" -- a window that appears on the screen suddenly
• A picture of a product they recognize (like a box of cereal)
• Prices or the word "free"
• Contests or the word "win"
• Automatic downloads or the words "download now"
• Adult-oriented material, such as sexually suggestive figures, alcohol, gambling, diet pills

What do I need to know about multiplayer games?

Multiplayer games (technically called "massively multiplayer online games" or MMOGs or MMO for short) let kids play against their friends and other people they meet on the game network. Most of these sites allow for instant messaging and conversation through headsets. Players are supposed to be 13 to register for an account.

Some MMOs are free and some will need a credit card (yours, most likely) to play, so that's a good time to check the age-appropriateness. Also, look at the privacy settings the site offers, and talk to your kids about responsible online communication. Read through the site's "parent section" if it has one. Beyond that, the major issue with online gaming is the time they require -- be sure to set time limits.

Should I let my kid get a Facebook page?

You're supposed to be 13 to go on Facebook, but younger kids can -- and do -- register with a false birthdate. We advise kids to wait until they're 13 for both safety and privacy reasons. If your kids want to go on Facebook, stay involved and help them follow these five rules:

• Think before you post.
• Be respectful.
• Call out cyberbullying if you see it.
• Know that anything you post online can be used in ways you never intended.
• Use privacy settings.

What are the rules of responsible online behavior?

It really all boils down to respect. Respect for other people, respect for other people's work, and respect for yourself. The Internet is a community. Here's how to keep it a nice place to hang out:

• Share, but don't overshare. Information spreads quickly to unknown audiences online.
• Treat others kindly. Stand up for people who are targeted.
• Respect creative work. Give proper attribution to any work you use -- whether for school reports, videos, or music remixes.

There's a lot of talk about privacy. How do privacy issues affect my kids?

• Privacy means two things: Personal privacy refers to your own online reputation; consumer privacy refers to the data that companies can collect about you. Kids need to manage both kinds by being careful about what they post and by being aware of what kinds of data companies collect (often buried in fine print).
• Strict privacy settings actually can help protect both personal and consumer privacy. But kids who are active online must understand that it is up to them to manage their own online reputation.

• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
• Place grills well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. Don't use or store on a combustible porch or balcony.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area. Have a three foot "kid-free zone" around the grill.
• Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.
• Never leave a grill unattended.
• Always be sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.

Charcoal Grills

• There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal with newspaper.
• If you use starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fuel or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
• Keep charcoal fluid out of reach of children and away from heat sources.
• When you are finished grilling, let the coals cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container.

Propane Grills

• Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Do so by applying a light soap and water solution to the hose. A gas leak will release bubbles.
• If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame:
  • Turn off the propane tank and grill.
  • If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again.
  • If the leak does not stop, call the fire department (9-1-1).
• If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department (9-1-1). Do not attempt to move the grill.
• If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 15 minutes before relighting it.
• Turn off the propane tank before turning off the grill so residual gas in the hose is burned off.  
• Never store propane cylinders in buildings or garages. If you store a gas grill inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it in a secure outside area.

Fire Facts

• July is the peak month for grill fires.
• U.S. Fire Departments respond to an average of 8,600 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbeques each year.
• These 8,600 fires cause an annual average of 10 deaths, 140 reported injuries and $75 million in property damage.
• Five of every six grills involved in home fires (83%) is fueled by propane gas while 14% are fueled by charcoal or other solid fuel.
• Leaks or breaks are the leading factors contributing to gas grill fires.
• More than one-quarter (28%) of the home structure fires involving grills starts on a courtyard, terrace, or patio. Another 28% start on an exterior balcony or open porch.

Source: National Fire Protection Agency

More than $10,000 was raised on Saturday, June 8 at the Sunnyvale Police Activities League Building Life Champions Golf Tournament. The first annual event for PAL was held at Sunnyvale Municipal Golf Course and awards banquet at the Sunnyvale Moose Lodge. Funds raised from the event will support PAL youth programs including boxing, Department of Public Safety's Youth and Horses program and a variety of day trips such as fishing, laser tag and college tours. Future PAL programs include golf and the PAL Leadership Program.   

Participants enjoyed beautiful weather for their 18 holes. In addition to "the usual," golfers had two hole-in-one opportunities: hole #13 for a car from Hopkins Honda and hole #15 for a $1,000 shopping spree at the PGA Superstore. There were contests for putting, longest drive and closest to the pin. For those who needed a little extra help, mulligans were available to purchase with a minimum of two per player. A mulligan is a "do over," which is handy when your ball doesn't go where you were hoping!

Many youth and adult volunteers played vital roles in the success of this really fun event. They helped with planning, set-up, registration, event logistics, implementation and clean-up. The banquet at the Moose Lodge featured a silent auction with San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants memorabilia and a fantastic raffle. Several PAL Youth and their families attended the dinner. The youth had an opportunity to speak about their experiences in PAL and Vice President Jose Ramirez gave a moving presentation about PAL history, present activities and future plans.

Help your Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety keep fire prevention education programs strong. Here's why: In 1973 America had the highest per capita deaths and property loss from fire amongst all the major industrialized countries. The National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control brought the nation's alarming fire problem to the forefront with recommendations on reducing fire losses in their report America Burning. 

Budget cuts are straining these public outreach programs. You can help by visiting  SparkysWishList.org! Make a small contribution of fire-safety education materials to a local fire department. Go online now and select Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety. Donate online today!

Your contribution supports a national effort to reduce America's fire deaths and property devastation.