FORT McMURRAY — Wood Buffalo RCMP are reminding parents and caregivers to keep child safety top of mind as students begin summer vacation and spend more time outdoors.
Police say children and teenagers are more likely to be in neighbourhoods, parks and public spaces during the summer months, making it important for families to take extra precautions both outdoors and online.
RCMP are encouraging parents to never leave children unattended in parked vehicles, noting temperatures inside a vehicle can quickly reach dangerous levels, even on relatively mild days. Families are also being encouraged to keep children hydrated and schedule outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day whenever possible.
Officers are also reminding children to wear helmets while cycling, skateboarding or riding scooters, as required under Alberta law. Police say children should use marked crosswalks, obey traffic signals and avoid distractions such as headphones or mobile phones near roadways.
With many families spending time at lakes and pools, RCMP say active supervision remains essential around water. Children should wear life jackets while boating or swimming in open water, avoid swimming alone and stay within designated swimming areas.
Police are also encouraging parents to know where their children are, who they are with and when they are expected home. Children should be encouraged to play in familiar areas and taught how to respond if approached by a stranger or placed in an unsafe situation.
RCMP say summer often means more time online for young people and are urging families to discuss internet safety, privacy settings and the risks of sharing personal information. Parents are also encouraged to maintain open communication and remind children to report concerning online interactions.
“As a community, we all play a role in protecting our youth,” RCMP said in the advisory.
Anyone who witnesses suspicious or unsafe activity involving children or youth is asked to contact Wood Buffalo RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
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