Children's summer safety Published July 11, 2007 By Ron Davis 82nd Training Wing Safety Office SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Childhood memories are flavored with fun summertime activities including trips to the swimming pool or local area lakes, walks to the ice cream shop, and rides around the neighborhood on bikes, rollerblades or skateboards. But while you and your kids enjoy the seemingly carefree elements of summer, emergency room doctors know it as "trauma season." According to Safe Kids USA, children ages 14 and under will be rushed to emergency rooms nearly three million times for serious injuries from motor vehicle crashes, drowning, bike crashes, pedestrian incidents, falls and other hazards this summer. Unfortunately, more than 2,500 of these children will die. Tragedies peak during the summer months - May to August - because children are supervised less, have more free time and engage in more outdoor activities. Don't take a vacation from safety. Close supervision, proper protective gear and other simple prevention steps will help your child avoid danger and have a safe summer.