Summer means adventure for your child, from taking up a new sport to having a taste of office work as an intern. Letting go of your little ones can be hard for you. You worry about accidents and other mishaps that can happen. How do you keep your children safe when they’re off on their own? Prepare your kids for these five common situations they might encounter over the summer.

For more parenting articles, check out these links:

• 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Be an Overprotective Parent
• 7 Summer Jobs for Kids: Ways for Them to Earn over the Break
• Protected on the Net: 10 Ways to Keep Your Kids Safe Online
• 5 Basic Swimming Safety Tips
• Develop Your Kids' Life Skills and Characters by Having Them Focus on Self-Improvement

(First published in Good Housekeeping Magazine, Good Family section as "Off on a Summer Adventure" in March 2009; adapted for use in Female Network. Flashbox photo via sxc.hu.)