Officials are urging parents to make child safety their top priority this summer as Labour Weekend hones into view.

As the weather gets warmer and the festive holidays approach, social get-togethers and family breaks become far more frequent.

Child Matters say every gathering should have a designated person to supervise kids.

And ahead of the ‘silly season', a Hamilton-based national child advocacy organisation is advising adults to keep a close eye on their youngsters over the coming weeks and months.

According to Child Matters chief executive Anthea Simcock, every gathering should have a designated, non-drinking person to supervise children.

'It means that if your children are staying away from home, you know where they will be, and more importantly who else will be there. Find out if any other guests will be present,” she says.

'If children are present at a party or social occasion, remind guests to keep alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and lighters out of reach of children.

'And it also means considering your behaviour – what may be a fun party trick for an adult, may not be safe or appropriate for children to mimic.”

The message coincides with the upcoming child abuse prevention initiative Buddy Day, on November 14.

The event revolves around life-sized cardboard cutouts of children (‘Buddies'), that are adopted by adults and taken into communities and workplaces to generate conversations about the wellbeing of children.

Tauranga is one of our centres, alongside Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington, where adults can register to take part, with full details at: www.buddyday.org.nz