Summer is here again and the kids are out of school.  Long days of playing outside and hanging out with friends are before us.  These are the days of our children’s innocence and it’s our responsibility as parents to safeguard it.  There are so many dangers out there but we don’t want to restrict the fun available to our kids.  We need to achieve a happy balance between fun and danger.  We’ve come up with a list of six different ways to ensure a healthy mixture of good times and safe times:

1. Sunscreen at all times.  It’s recommended that children under twelve wear at least SPF 20 when they’re outside.  They’ll resist at first as you try to smear them in suntan lotion but just simply make it a routine and they’ll soon expect it before they can play.
2. Preach bike safety.  Get your kids in the routine of always wearing helmets when they’re riding their bikes regardless of how long or short their distance is.  Teach them the proper hand signals for when they have to make turns.
3. Keep an eye out for traffic.  Motorists may not be used to children running around in the mornings and early afternoons now that school is out of session.  Make sure your kids know that they are never to go near traffic as there is no good reason for them to venture near moving cars.
4. Dress your kids properly for outdoor fun.  Light colored clothes are the best types of clothes to have your kids wear when they’re playing outside.  This will make them more visible in case they are near traffic.
5. Keep the poolside clear of clutter.  It’s a wise idea to keep all playthings away from the pool.  This will eliminate the curiosity factor that could lure a young child to the poolside when unaccompanied by an adult.  It’s also a good idea so that if children are running near the pool there are fewer obstacles they have to dodge which limits their chances of falling in the pool or hitting their heads on the side of the pool.
6. Know where the bugs are.  When the weather gets warmer insects are more apt to find cooler, darker places to congregate.  The most dangerous insect to watch out for is the mosquito that can carry encephalitis and are generally unhealthy insects.  Standing water, shallow ponds, marshes and streams are hot spots for annoying insects.

This article is contributed by Heather Johnson, who regularly writes on Citi Rewards. She invites your questions and writing job opportunities at her personal email address: heatherjohnson2323 at gmail dot com.