With summer vacation underway, U.S. Postal Service employees – and everyone else – are reminded to be alert for children playing. These are pointers often heard, but ones that need repeating:

Whenever there’s a ball rolling in the street, there’s likely to be a child following it. Slow down and be prepared to stop quickly.

Pay attention to the lone child walking along the street. Drivers are more likely to overlook a single youngster than several together.

Be aware of children on roller skates, skateboards or roller blades who often roll onto streets from alleys or driveways.

Look out for bicyclists-especially young or new riders. Give them plenty of room.

Letter carriers are reminded, also, that if mail is out of sequence, they should never back up to re-deliver a missed box. They need to get out of the vehicle, secure it properly and walk to the missed box.

Letter carriers are also reminded never to give mail to children while inside a vehicle. If children approach the vehicle, they are to get out and ask them to move away.

For more information about purchasing stamps, stamps by mail, postal regulations, a free subscription to USA Philatelic magazine, Post Office events, the location of the nearest postal store or contract unit, or for answers to your specific Postal Service questions, contact USPS at 1-800-275-8777, or visit www.usps.com. To schedule a presentation for your community, club or group on how the Postal Service brings the Post Office to your home or office computer, call 239-573-9638.

Mitchell is with the U.S. local Postal Service.