The time when neighborhoods were safe and secure enough for children to play freely in the garden, ride a bike on quiet tree lined streets or use a skateboard on the sidewalks is a thing of the past. It is very sad to see that crime has overtaken the American way of life!

Life as we know it has changed forever due to the immense crime wave that has hit not just the U.S., but the rest of the world as well. In this scenario, personal security takes on new meaning, not just for us, but for our children as well.

There is no known neighborhood that is totally immune to criminal activity. While the crime rate in some neighborhoods is less than it is in others, we need to work together with our neighbors to make the place as safe as possible.

Let us take a quick look at some of the things we as parents can do to keep our children safe.

Make it a practice to always be aware of where your children are supposed to be. Children should inform parents when going out and tell them the details of where they are going. If your child is going to a friend's house ask the child to call you on arrival. Older children tend to rebel against this kind of supervision, but it is necessary and parents need to stand firm.

Children need to have limits set for their freedom in the neighborhood; this can best be done based on their ages. Certain areas will be off limits; to set the boundaries, parents need to tour the neighborhood and then make a decision.

Areas with busy roads, narrow alleys and all abandoned buildings should definitely be off limits. There may even be certain homes that you prefer not to send your children to. Lay down the ground rules for outdoor play clearly, explaining to your child why you prefer them not to go to certain areas of the neighborhood.

Only through being totally involved in your children's lives will you learn who their friends are and the homes they visit. Make it a point to meet the parents before allowing children to sleep over. Maintain a list of phone numbers in an easily accessible place like the refrigerator door or the magnetic board if you have one.

Try getting families in the neighborhood to unite in the fight against crime. Watch out for each other's kids and for the neighborhood in general.