Now that summer is here and school is out, this time of year equates to a deadly time of year for youngsters.

According to Safe Kids USA, a network of organizations whose mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury, the accidental injury death rate of children 14 and under has declined by 45 percent in the United States since 1987, yet accidental injury remains the nation’s leading killer of kids.

But just one child who becomes a victim of a pedestrian-car accident, a drowning or an accidental shooting is too many.

Looking at the statistics, the number of children victimized by accidential shootings dropped by 74 percent during that time period, probably because there are laws that hold adults accountable for leaving loaded firearms unattended. There’s also a 66 percent drop in bike-related deaths, probably because bicycle helmets have become more popular and in most cases, made mandatory.

In the United States, pedestrian injury is the second leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 5 to 14.

If you don’t have pedestrian-friendly sidewalks in your neighborhood for your child to use while going to and from a friend’s house, be sure to show them the safest route and the safest means to travel.

Also, with the City Council elections coming up later this year, how about making more pedestrian-friendly sidewalks part of the platform. Might just save a life.