Summer is in full swing and across our neighborhood kids are enjoying their freedom from the classroom at local parks and swimming pools. This vacation time can mean more than just outdoor fun and games, however. During these warmer months, predators also have more opportunity to encounter kids, which means parents and children both must be aware of potential dangers.

Do kids run a higher risk of encountering a predator during the summertime?

During the summer months parents are challenged to provide activities and childcare for kids who are out of school while they are faced with a continuing work schedule. As a result, kids often have more unsupervised freedom throughout the day both indoors and outside.

What are some basic rules parents should enforce to keep their children safe while they’re out riding bikes or playing at a nearby park?

Children should walk and play with friends, not alone and should play in their own neighborhood. They should know the safest routes to and from the school, park and neighbors’ houses and should avoid strangers. Children should not play alone on playgrounds or in parks.

What can parents do to better educate their children about the dangers of child predators?

Parents should set aside a time to talk to their children about dangerous people. Gear the talk to the child’s own level of understanding and everything should be kept simple. Be straight forward, yet caring. Never use scare tactics during your talk. Explain without frightening the sensitive child. Children should be aware that a dangerous person, child molester or child abductor could be anyone. They must be taught the importance of being aware of potentially dangerous people and how to react to these situations.

What can neighbors and local crime watch patrols do to keep the neighborhoods safer for kids?

Parents and neighbors can help protect children by always being on the lookout for suspicious and potentially dangerous people in the neighborhood and reporting them to the police. Crime Watch and neighborhood patrol groups should be aware of the increased presence of children both outside and at home during the summer months and closely monitor them to provide additional safety.

What about children who are left home during the day? What dangers do they face and how can they avoid them?

Parents should also remember that children could be at risk in their own rooms. With unsupervised access to the Internet, children can become drawn into contact with strangers during online communications. Children should be cautioned to never have a face-to-face meeting with a stranger they meet on the computer or reveal personal information. Talk to your children about appropriate Internet usage and restrict access to age appropriate sites. If children must be home alone, they should be monitored by parents and neighbors and should never open the door to strangers or let a caller know they are home alone. Children should know how to call parents at work or neighbors if help is needed and should always know how to escape a house in case of a fire.