This straightforward and simple safety software for children leaves behind the bells and whistles and razzle dazzle of more sophisticated programs and gets right to the issues at hand--namely, 35 graphically enacted lessons in child safety, ranging in topics from what's the safest thing to do in a lightning storm and at Halloween to when a stranger approaches and while shopping.

Designed by safety expert Paula Geonie, founder of the nonprofit group Playing It Safe, the program starts with separate entrances for grown-ups and kids. For kids, each safety scenario presents itself as a mini-story followed by four multiple-choice safest-thing-to-do answers.

For example, young Michael and Dana are by the swimming pool and Michael looks like he's ready to jump in. What do you think is the safest thing to do? If kids click on the wrong answer, a child's voice says "Oh, no!" Click the right answer--that Michael and Dana should leave the pool area until an adult can accompany them--and hear cheers.

The adult option goes directly to a menu of the 35 lessons separated by categories of safety issues, such as "Kitchen & Bathroom Safety," "Car Safety," and "Poison Control." Each is hot linked to the lesson so parents wanting to talk to a child about a particular situation can cut to the chase.

This helpful program comes with a "Playing It Safe" coloring book and flash cards to supplement the computer version. Graphics are basic and to the point. Lessons take nothing for granted. With multilingual options for English, French and Spanish, this is a valuable resource for homes and schools for teaching children about safety issues without the fear factor.