School’s out for summer! What will your children do this summer? How will you make sure that they're safe in your homeowners association?

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children recommends that parents and guardians take action to keep their children safe during both structured and unstructured summer activities.

The first step is to talk to your children

Kids need to know:

• Neighborhood boundaries and whose homes they may visit in the Association.
• Who to call and where to go in an emergency.
• Their full name, address and telephone number.
• To keep doors locked and not open the door if they are home alone.
• Not to approach a vehicle or accept a ride from anyone without your permission.
• To avoid pools and other bodies of water without adult supervision.
• Their curfew, and to call you if they will be late.

• Supervise children at malls, movies, arcades and parks.
• Choose and screen babysitters with care.
• Investigate daycare centers and recreational camps thoroughly before enrolling your children.
• Always listen to your children.

Stay Safe Around Water

Nothing says summer vacation like warm days spent at the pool or a quick weekend retreat to the beach or lake. Whether you’re jumping waves in the ocean or splashing around in the pool in your homeowners association, these tips from the Federal Citizen Information Center will help keep you and your family safe this summer:

• Teach your kids to swim. Check for swimming lessons in your area . Giving your kids the basic water skills they need will help keep them safe.
  
  
• Keep an eye on your kids. With lots of kids splashing around in public pools, it’s easy for someone to get dunked by accident. Know where your kids are so if you see them go under you can make sure they come right back up.
  
  
• Check your drains. Make sure the drains in the Association pool meet safety standards. Drains that don’t could catch children’s hair or limbs and pull them with great force to the pool’s bottom.
  
  
• Don’t panic in a riptide. Before you or your kids go in the ocean, make sure you all know what to do if you get caught in a riptide. Try to swim parallel to the shore. Don’t fight your way directly back to the beach, but swim sideways until you're out of the current. Wave for a lifeguard to help get you back to shore safely.
  
  
• Play it safe in the lake. Lake water can be murky, making it hard to see what hides below the surface. Wear water shoes to protect your feet from sharp rocks or other debris. And don’t swim too far from shore. You may not realize how far you’ve gone until you try to stand and can’t find the bottom.

Playing in the water should be a fun family activity. With the proper safeguards, your family can stay safe while cooling off.  Make this the best and safest summer ever in your homeowners association!