School’s Out for Summer: Keep Our Neighborhoods Safe for Kids
School’s out for summer! Whether you’re a kid (summer is here!) or a parent (is it summer already?), it’s time to have some fun in the sun, mix up the routine, and take a break from Fortnite for some good old-fashioned outdoor recreation.
Due to this influx of children who will be running, riding bikes, and generally enjoying themselves outdoors, it’s important to remember that they’ll be doing these things in your neighborhood. This is why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to compile a few tips on how to keep these kids safe while they’re having fun during the summer months.
Become Friendly with Your Neighbors
While it may sound like an old cliché, the friendliest neighborhoods are often the safest neighborhoods. We’re not saying you have to be chummy with all of your neighbors, but when you’re familiar with the people who live around you, you can rely on each other to alert other neighbors of an accident or any reckless behavior going on. In fact, it’s a good idea to begin a Neighborhood Watch program to help ensure everyone’s safety.
Improve the Street’s Lighting
When visibility is low in your neighborhood, this not only creates an atmosphere where nefarious activity can take place, but it also makes it more difficult for drivers to see children who are outside playing or walking after the sun has gone down. If your neighborhood isn’t lit up at night as much as it should be, get a few of your neighbors together and petition the city or your neighborhood council for improvements to be made to the lighting in your area. This may take some time to accomplish, but the results will be more than worth it.
Always Remain Cautious While Driving
Where there’s a neighborhood, there are going to be kids playing outside. Yes, even in our tech-obsessed age. This means that whenever you drive through your neighborhood, you must be alert at every moment. Even when parents teach their children about not playing or running into the street, remember that they’re still kids and may act impulsively. So, keep an eye out for children who might dart into the street unexpectedly, especially from behind parked vehicles. Also, keep an eye out for children on bikes that may not be equipped with the proper reflectors or lights. Evening bike rides, after the sun has gone down and the temperature cools a bit, are going to put more cyclists on the road after dark, so remain on the lookout for those riders.
Keep Front Yards Free of Debris
If you’re a homeowner, we bet you’ve had an incident or two with neighborhood children being in your yard without your knowledge or permission. Again, even when children know the rules, they will sometimes break them despite the possibility of getting in trouble. Because of this, you don’t want to have debris in your yard that might be potentially dangerous, especially things with sharp edges.
Cover Your Swimming Pool
There’s nothing like a cool dip in a pool to escape the summer sun. If your home has a swimming pool, then it’s a good idea to get a protective cover for it and keep the pool covered and locked when not in use. Not only will this keep your own children safe, but if any kids decide to climb over your fence and use your pool without your permission, this will protect them from serious injury or even death. Better to be safe than sorry.
Summertime is here, and it’s time to enjoy it. With the tips above, you’re sure to enjoy a safe, happy, and relaxing season.