With the school soon to be letting out for summer, the kids will be out playing on the community grounds more often. As this happens we need to make sure that we are aware of kids, pets, and others who are out enjoying the sunshine.
There are a couple of key things to keep in mind about kids and your community.
Parking Lot- Whether they are on bikes, skateboards, or their feet, kids can seem to jump out of nowhere and dart out from behind parked cars without thinking about the oncoming cars traveling through the parking lot. Be sure to slow down when driving through your apartment parking lot and be well aware. Watch for children playing to avoid a terrible accident.
Close Doors- You should also make sure that the gate to the community pool or door to the fitness center are locked when you leave. Kids can injure themselves if they were to get into the gym and play around with the weights unsafely.
Pool Safety- Never leave any children unattended at the pool. It says so in the pool rules and is a rule to be taken very seriously. There is no limit to the different kinds of accidents that may happen if a child is unsupervised at the pool. Don't take chances and keep an eye on them.
Be a Good Neighbor- If you see a child playing in an area of the community they shouldn't be, speak up. If you are sunbathing poolside and see some kids playing at the pool unsupervised, keep a friendly eye on them. Who knows, you may get the opportunity to be a hero and save a life.
Latchkey Lock- If your kids or young teens are home alone while you are at work, be sure to tell them to always keep the door locked and never to open it for strangers. You'd think this is obvious, but kids are forgetful and fly by the seat of their pants. They may be caught up in the latest video game and forget that they aren't supposed to open the door when a burgler scoping your apartment out, posed as a magazine salesman knocks. Just make sure they are reminded of the rules and check on them consistently while you are out.
Time- During the summer, kids have a ton of time on their hands. Make sure that they have fun healthy activities to keep them busy and keep them out of trouble. Day camp is always fun for kids and a great way to keep them occupied on those long summer days.
Kids will be kids, but at least we can help make them a little safer.
