By Staff
With school out children become more visible. Keeping our youth safe is not only the parents' responsibility.
Drivers need to be extreme careful when driving through side streets as a child running after a ball can appear in a second. They may have been taught to look both ways when entering a street, but it only takes one child to forget to cause a tragedy which the driver will remember forever.
Those with home swimming pools, even the ones which look so small they couldn't hurt a fly, need to be extra cautious. A small child can drown in a few inches of water.
Even children who know how to swim can panic and silently down without ever calling for help. They never should be left alone in a pool. The time it takes for you to go into the house to answer the phone might be the few minutes you will never forget.
We are lucky to have the beautiful shoreline of Lake Michigan a short ride away. If you aren't familiar with the currents, children and even adults can easily find themselves unable to return to shore.
When you are outdoors this summer, don't forget the important of making sure the little ones are protected from the sun. Use sunscreen and protect their eyes with hats or sunglasses.
Indoors, children will be making their own meals and snacks and need to be aware of how to use the stove and microwave so they are injured.
Summer can be a wonderful time, unless time is wasted sitting in an emergency room.
Teach safety and enjoy you summer vacation with your family.