Peggy Gerba said:

"  I think they are being attracted to the water, but the
health department seemed to think the beekeeper had enough water. "

This may be so.  I have an ample water source for my hives that is less
than 10 feet from the hives.  There are some bees that drink from my dog's
water dish, from the goat's water bucket(where they seem to drown), and
from my in-laws dog's dish(next door).  I have never seen them drinking
from the hen's waterer.  In spite of this, only I have gotten stung(later
edit - my wife reminds me that she was out there investigating the open
hive without the bee net on and after freeing a bee several times from her
hair, it finally decided that stinging her would be a good way to end the
struggle).  The most interesting water source, enjoyed by a number of them
of them get water from the hose(they crawl up the hose end - until we put a
spray nozzle on the end), the faucet where the hose is connected, and the
downspout drain pipe.

"These people would like to be able to enjoy their own yards without the
fear
of these bees.
What can these people do to protect their families from the bees? Is
there something that can be done to make these yards safe from these
bees?"

Here are two distinct questions - safety(protection) and fear.

        I have four children who are more than active.  Despite many and
continuing attempts to stop him,  my oldest son has not learned to not play
in front of the hive.  He also has tried feeding them cracked corn(it is a
wonder what a child can do in so little time), herb leaves, and who knows
what we have not seen him do.  I am sure that some day the bee's will teach
him what we have failed to teach him.  My other son is not quite so
adventurous, but has demonstrated a lack of carefulness around the hives,
though they have to work hard to get where the bees are, and aren't
supposed to be there without me. Safety for the children and those not
opening the hive has been not too much of a question.

        The big safety issue you mentioned it bee sting allergy.  This is a
serious question, and definitely an issue if the last year's hive contained
Africanized bees.  I was allergic to bee stings before keeping bees, and
this was my biggest fear(my kids and my mouth got me into this mess).  I
have been stung several times and now get less of a reaction to bee stings
than I do from mosquito bites(this does not constitute medical advice, but
rather is an accurate description of my experience).  I still have an
incredible fear of bees - knowing that there is little danger for me.  In
fact, my first time opening the hive again this year I wore gloves, long
sleeve shirt, etc. to avoid 'bee stings'.  Since this time, I did split one
hive and re-queened one hive - without the bee net secured and without
gloves.  However, I still am 'afraid' of being stung.

        Here is the other part of your question, in respect to the above
paragraph. The fears that we have are seldom overcome - especially when
there is no motive for overcoming the fears.  In a neighborhood where there
were AHB attacks last year, it would be unlikely that all neighbors *would*
overcome the fear of bees. *Could* may be a different issue.  The bee
keeper quite possibly has a long term project ahead to make peace with all
concerned, based on his last years' experience.  You mentioned 'hives' - my
assumption would be more than one, but I don't know how many.  Having only
one hive may be a good way to improve the relationship.

Best wishes to you and your neighborhood.  My neighbors like having my bees
in their gardens.

Tim Rich
Bee Keeper for my son's bees - and now a hive of my own!