Dangerous summer entertainments

      Summer is a long-awaited time of rest and freedom for children. But along with the joy of summer vacations come new challenges for parents, especially when they have to leave their little ones home alone or in the care of other adults while they are busy at work. How can we ensure that summer days pass safely and without incidents? This important question led us to speak with the acting prosecutor of the Bolshimurashkinsky district, Olga Davydova.

      — Olga Igorevna, it is no secret that during the summer holidays, especially in hot weather, one of children's favorite pastimes is swimming in open water bodies. Are there any rules for the behavior of underage teenagers at water bodies?

      — Every year in Russia, accidents involving the death of minors at water bodies are registered. To avoid tragedy, it is necessary to adhere to simple rules, compliance with which will preserve your child's life and health:

      - minors should not be left near water bodies and in water bodies without constant supervision by parents or other adults;

      - children who cannot swim should only swim in specially equipped places where the depth does not exceed 1-2 meters;

      - swimming in unsuitable places (near dams, in quarries, pits, etc.) is prohibited;

      - it is unacceptable to swim beyond buoys or other restrictive signs that demarcate swimming areas;

      - one should not swim close to passing jet skis, boats, rowboats, or other vessels;

      - jumping into the water from boats, ships, and other floating devices, or diving from steep and high banks is prohibited. In unfamiliar places, the bottom may have stones, logs, metal rods, etc.;

      - swimming at night is prohibited;

      - the time spent in the water should be limited to avoid hypothermia, which can cause cramps, respiratory arrest, or loss of consciousness;

      - swimming on homemade rafts or other floating devices is prohibited. They may not withstand the weight of a child and capsize.

      Be sure to explain these rules to your children, teaching them safe behavior in the water. Responsibility for accidents in the water rests entirely on the shoulders of parents. Each accident involving children in the water is investigated by law enforcement agencies and the prosecutor's office. In the event of an incident with a child in the water, depending on the consequences, parents may be held criminally liable under Article 125 "Leaving in Danger," Article 109 "Causing Death by Negligence," Article 118 "Causing Serious Harm to Health by Negligence" of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Parents of minors may also be held administratively liable under part 1 of Article 5.35 of the Administrative Offenses Code of the Russian Federation "Failure of Parents or Other Legal Representatives of Minors to Fulfill Duties for the Maintenance and Upbringing of Minors."

      — Another, one might say, scourge of summer recreation for teenagers is pit bikes, which most parents allow their children to use without restriction. Please explain, is a pit bike a vehicle?

      — The traffic rules do not include the concept of "pit bike." This word has entered popular speech just like "scooter" once did, meaning a moped. The so-called "pit bike" can be a moped if its engine volume is less than 50 cc, or a motorcycle if the engine volume is more than 50 cc. In both cases, a "pit bike" is a vehicle that requires a driver's license: category M, which can be obtained from the age of 16 (moped), or A — from 18 years (motorcycle). However, a "pit bike" should be used for competitions and training in specially designated areas, where it is brought by separate transport and then taken away accordingly. It is not allowed to ride it on public roads.

      — What are the consequences for a "pit bike" driver when they go onto the road? What is the responsibility of parents for underage offenders?

      — Firstly, the "pit bike" is subject to immediate seizure and placement in a specialized impound lot. The owner can only retrieve the vehicle after paying all fines and administrative fees. Secondly, operating a "pit bike" by a driver who does not have the right to operate vehicles of the corresponding category results in a fine of up to 15,000 rubles for both the driver and the parents. If the driver is under 16 at the time of the violation, the administrative responsibility falls solely on their parents or legal representatives. They may be held administratively liable under part 1 of Article 5.35 of the Administrative Offenses Code of the Russian Federation "Failure of Parents or Other Legal Representatives of Minors to Fulfill Duties for the Maintenance and Upbringing of Minors." In addition, parents who entrusted the vehicle to their child face a fine of 30,000 rubles regardless of the age of the offender. I want to emphasize that child and adolescent injuries on the roads involving such vehicles is one of the acute problems. Parents are strongly advised to monitor their children's leisure activities, not to purchase pit bikes without prior clarification of the rules for their operation, and to prevent attempts to ride on public roads. Parents, remember that you are personally responsible for your child. Their safety, health, and sometimes life depend on your informed actions. Let’s work together to make our children's recreation safe!

      — Thank you for the conversation. Ivan BIZYAEV Photo provided by O. Davydova

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      Dangerous summer entertainment

      Summer is a long-awaited time of rest and freedom for children. But along with the joy of summer vacations come new challenges for parents, especially when they have to leave their little ones home alone or in the care of other adults. 22:37 16.05.2026 Newspaper Znamya - Bolshoye Murashkino

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      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

      Footage of an accident involving a teenager on a pit bike in Koshelevo has emerged

      In Samara, on May 17, an accident occurred involving an underage pit bike driver. 19:27 16.05.2026 GTRK Samara - Samara

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      Traffic police officers intensified control over compliance with road safety requirements by drivers of freight transport during road traffic supervision. 11:29 16.05.2026 Department of Internal Affairs of Primorsky Krai - Vladivostok

      A parent meeting "Child Safety in the Summer Period" was held in the Proletarsky District

      Summer vacations, long-awaited by children, simultaneously cause concern for parents. 19:28 15.05.2026 Administration of the city of Saransk - Saransk

      Child safety in water during the summer period: rules that save lives!

      Child safety in water during the summer period: rules that save lives! 19:10 15.05.2026 Prosecutor's Office - Yaroslavl

      The world court held LLC "Agromediaholding Svetich" administratively liable for non-payment of a fine

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      Inspectors from the juvenile affairs department are conducting explanatory work with schoolchildren and their parents before the summer holidays

      As summer holidays approach, police officers from the OMVD of Russia in the Chistopol district are actively working with children and their parents to ensure safe recreation. 17:28 15.05.2026 OMVD of the Chistopol District - Chistopol

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