Every neighborhood is different. Some are safer than others. Each one has its inherent dangers, though, even those that look calm and tranquil at first glance.

If you are raising a child, you need to know about the potential dangers in your neighborhood. That way, you can warn your kids about them when they go out to play.

Here are a few that you might not have thought about, but about which you should be aware:

Traffic

When it comes to safety tips for kids walking or bike riding, one that should be at the top of your list is always traffic. Unless you live in an extremely rural area, there are likely to be cars going past. The frequency in some neighborhoods is greater than others, and this will be more of an issue if you live on a busy road.

Talk to your kids about how critical it is that they watch for cars if they are playing in the street or close to it. A car might come during:

• A game of hopscotch
• A pickup softball game
• A game of freeze tag

You do not have to scare your kids to death, but having a frank conversation about this issue is always a smart idea as they get a little bit older and do not require as much direct supervision.

Dogs

The axiom might hold that canines are a human’s best friend, but every once in a while, you get a temperamental dog. It is not the animal’s fault. Dogs get mean if a person mistreats them or a human has trained them to be aggressive.  

If you know that there is a problem dog in the neighborhood, make sure that your kids stay away from its yard. They should not walk past or ride their bikes in that area, nor should they ever tease the animal.

You should also explain to them that if someone is walking their dog past the house, it is only okay to pet the animal if the owner says it’s okay. Some dogs are not overly aggressive, but they might be skittish around kids or new people.

Bees, Wasps, And Hornets

Your kids should also look out for:

• Wasps
• Bees
• Hornets

Some people have been talking about murder hornets lately, a new strain that has shown up in certain parts of the country. These hornets are more aggressive than some others, but all hornets have a nasty disposition.

Wasps and bees do not tend to go after humans as often, but that does not mean your kids should not treat them with respect. The best thing to do is stay away and let them go about their business.

It is even more essential to do so if your child is allergic to their sting. The problem is that in many cases, you will not know that they are allergic until an insect stings them. It is best never to have to find out, so talk to your kids about these insects.

Ticks

In warm weather, ticks try to grab onto a host. They live in tall grass, and they are more prevalent if you live close to the woods or a park. Ticks are hardly ever a problem in urban areas, but if you live out in the country, you need to let your kids know to be on the lookout for them.

Ticks carry Lyme disease and other harmful diseases as well. These ailments are rarely fatal in humans, but they are extremely unpleasant.

If you have a dog or cat that spends its time outside, then you should also watch out for ticks inside the house. Your four-legged friend might bring one inside, and a transfer from pet to child is not impossible.

Sexual Predators

This is an issue that parents never want to think about, and yet, it is a potential problem in some neighborhoods. You never want to suspect your neighbors of anything, but being safe is always the better option than being sorry.

You can look at the sex offender registry to see if any unsavory characters live near you. Then, you can speak to your kids about avoiding those houses as well. You can have the “stranger danger” talk with them and make sure they understand never to accept a ride from anyone unknown.

If you are upfront with your kids about what they need to watch out for, then hopefully, they will be fine. There is always danger in the world, but it should not stop them from getting out there and enjoying the sunshine.