Summer is a time for kids to be playing and having fun outdoors.

While summer may not officially start until June 21, many schools are now closed for vacation and children across the Lehigh Valley will be outdoors more than during the school year.

Motorists need to be aware of children riding their bicycles, skateboards and scooters along the roadways, playing outdoors and additional pedestrian traffic.

Safe Kids Worldwide and FedEx offer motorists the following tips to help keep kids safe this summer:

•Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods.

•Take extra care to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.

•Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.

•Watch for children on and near the road during daytime hours.

•Remember children may move in unpredictable ways.

•Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

Some additional safety tips for drivers are:

•Whether traveling on a roadway or through a residential neighborhood follow the speed limit. Be prepared to stop quickly for children crossing the road or playing on neighborhood streets.

•Look for children playing around or between parked cars as they can dart out into the road quickly.

•Plan ahead, leave early to allow extra time for children crossing the road or walking down the street.

•Always check behind your vehicle before pulling out of the driveway as children may be playing behind parked vehicles.

•Never talk or text while driving or where children may be riding their bicycle, playing or walking.

Here are some safety tips for parents to share with their children who may be playing outdoors this summer:

•Always pay attention to your surroundings when playing outdoors or riding your bicycle.

•Never play around, behind or in between parked vehicles.

•Never cross a street in the middle of it; always use the crosswalk or traffic light. Look both ways when crossing a street.

Some safety tips for parents this summer are:

•Walk younger children to and from friends’ homes whether inside or outside the neighborhood.

•Never leave young children unattended outdoors.

•Always have school age children tell you where they will be playing.

Motorists, take extra care when driving around neighborhoods or on roads this summer where children may be playing or walking.

Parents, grandparents, caregivers and neighbors also need to take extra care to help keep children safe this summer.

Let us all do our part to help children across the Lehigh Valley have a safe and fun summer.

Susan Bryant

editorial assistant

Parkland Press

Northwestern Press