As schools begin letting out for the summer, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Transportation and Indiana State Police along with the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office remind citizens of Kosciusko County to watch out for children, especially when driving in neighborhoods.

Pay attention when you’re behind the wheel and scan the entire area around you. Look for kids playing near the street and slow down. Children are often unpredictable and unaware of danger around them. Accidents can happen in a split second!

Parents and caregivers play an essential role in keeping kids safe while enjoying summer activities. Make sure children always wear a helmet when biking, skateboarding, roller skating or riding a scooter. And teach them to stop, listen and look both ways before crossing the street.

Teach kids to appreciate and respect EMS professionals, firefighters and police officers, and when and how to dial 911 in an emergency. In the event of an emergency, they are there to provide care, and give a helping hand to take care of the emergency.

Children should never be allowed to play unsupervised around streams, pools, retention ponds or other bodies of water.  Never allow children to play outside or walk anywhere alone. Some predators may cruise neighborhoods looking for unsupervised kids. You should report any suspicious strangers or vehicles to police immediately.

Enjoy your summer, and remember to “Play it safe!”