Keep your kids safe this summer:

Tips for Parents and Children

It's summertime. There's a world of fun waiting for your kids. But parents should look at these first few weeks of summer as a time of transition. Your children are embarking on sports and adventures they haven't tried in months. They're excited, and caution isn't part of the equation. You can teach them to be safe.

A bicycle helmet can help save a life. Look for a safety-approved helmet that fits the head well. Replace any helmet that has been damaged. If your children want to rock climb, provide them classes with trained instructors and appropriate equipment, including a helmet.

Helmets also are important for roller-blading and horseback riding. For roller-blading, include wrist guards and elbow and kneepads. A helmet should be nonnegotiable for children who ride horses.

Help children learn to swim by arranging for lessons from a qualified instructor. It doesn't matter at what age; you're the best judge of what is appropriate for your child. It's also vital for parents to supervise their children diligently when they're near water. Never take your eyes off preschoolers, even if they've had swimming instruction.

If you are going boating, make sure there are life jackets on board, and that all children have them on. And just as you wouldn't think of putting your child in a car with someone who has had too much to drink, the same is true of boating.

Outdoor safety includes telling your child to "hug a tree," or stay in the same place if he or she gets lost. Have your child wear a whistle to signal you if he gets separated from the group.

Make safety equipment and lessons a must for rock climbing outings.

It's not summer without car trips. Infants 20 pounds or less should be in a rear-facing car seat in the car's back seat. Children up to 40 pounds should be in a forward-facing car seat in the back seat. The law doesn't require it, but consider using a booster seat for children who weigh 40-65 pounds. The seat belt rests better across a child's pelvis in a booster seat and allows the child to see out the window and be a better traveler.

A bicycle helmet can help save a life. Look for safety-approved helmets that fits the head well. Replace any helmet that has been damaged. If your children want to climb rock, provide them classes with trained instructors and appropriate equipment, including a helmet.

Helmets are also important for roller-blading, skate boarding, horseback riding and of course bicycling. Include wrist guards, knee pads and elbow pads when riding anything with wheels, a helmet is nonnegotiable for those riding horses.

Finally, be extremely careful and follow safety rules if your child has any projectile items, such as darts, bows and arrows, BB guns, air rifles, or model rockets as part of their summertime toy box.