Exams are over and schools are out for the summer. Regardless of parental intentions and plans, one thing that has yet to happen is for working parents to get the same amount of holidays at the same time as the kids. Our homes and public spaces are filled with the voices of children and we are not always able to keep our eyes on them. "More unintentional childhood deaths and injuries occur between the months of May and August than any other time of the year. With more children engaging in outdoor activities, there is an increased risk of being seriously injured or even killed," says Martin Eichelberger of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. With this in mind, the National SAFE KIDS Campaign and other organizations have drawn up a list of precautions that adults can take:

• Install smoke alarms and test them once a month.

• Install safety locks on windows and screens.

• Store all medicines and vitamins out of reach

• Lock the medicine cabinet.

• Remove blades, scissors, and electrical appliances

• Use non-slip mats in the bath tub and on the floor

• Never leave young children unattended in the bathtub.

• Supervise children in the bathroom and keep the door closed 

  when not in use

• Secure knives, plastic bags, matches, and lighters

• Supervise children making food

• Check for broken glasses and sharp objects

• Install a metal safety guard on the cooker and keep children out of the kitchen when food is cooking

• Remove breakable utensils and use plastic items (cups, mugs, plates, and so on) instead

• Minimize spills and falls from trips to the refrigerator by using water bottles for drinking.

• Reduce asthma attacks by eliminating sources of mold, dust, and insects. If household pets are present, keep them and their bedding clean and keep pets off the furniture.

• Ensure interesting reading and audio-visual material is always available—Islamic stories, videos and audio cassettes.

• Avoid the use of television and audit whatever children watch

• Engage in rainy day activities: games, quizzes, story-telling, arts and crafts, as well as children-friendly cooking.

• Secure all fences and gates

• Supervise children, especially near ponds and pools

• Remove poisonous plants

• Store tools out of reach

• Lock away gasoline containers and barbecue grills..

• Repair holes or uneven ground

• Provide plenty of drinking water

• Ensure that children under 10 years of age do not cross the street alone.

• Familiarize yourself with neighborhood play areas for safety.

• Ensure bicycle helmets are available and worn

• Teach children not to talk to strangers or take rides in a car

• Offer friendly greetings to all neighbors but minimize social contact with unfriendly neighbors.

• Discourage hanging around in malls and open spaces

• Always be polite and smile (Sunnah) to non-Muslims. Do not give them a chance to view your children in a bad light.

• Never allow children to give identifying information—address, telephone number, school name or location—even to someone they think they can trust.

• Monitor use of the Internet

• Check the History button on the screen to monitor your child's surfing.

• Surf the Net with your child so you can work out together what is interesting, what to avoid, and why.

• Ensure the camp is well organized, with every aspect taken care of.

• Avoid mixed-sex camps.

• Ensure you have all the details of the camp's location and open channels of communication.

• Investigate the background of camp leaders to avoid physical and sexual abuse.

• Prepare your child's bag, well equipped with suitable clothing, footwear, and essentials in case he or she should get lost.

• Contact your child every day if possible to ensure that he or she has no problems or fears.

• Ensure sure your child has all your details—home and work telephone numbers and addresses, as well as those of relatives and friends.

• Ensure your child knows how to swim.