Issue Date: May 31, 2009
Other ThinkSmart articles this week:
 Parent Smart Avoid summer's big dangers
Eat Smart Don't toss it -- use it
Garden Smart With a container and a sunny spot, you can grow your own blueberries
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THINK SMART
Helpful tips for your everyday life
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ParentSmart |
REYHANEH FATHIEH |
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Avoid summer's big dangers
Adult supervision is a must at the pool or beach.
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When it comes to accidents, summer is "trauma season," says Alan Korn of Safe Kids USA, an advocacy group. With his expert help, we have pinpointed the biggest seasonal dangers -- plus ways to avoid them.
DROWNINGS: Two-thirds of child drownings occur during the summer, according to Centers for Disease Control data. To prevent them, active supervision is key. Avoid any confusion by designating an adult watchdog. Actually "wear a 'water watcher' card around your neck," Korn says.
BIKE ACCIDENTS: Almost half of all bike-related deaths occur during the summer. Make kids wear helmets to cut the risk of head injury by 85%.
FALLS: Summer has 41% of all fatal child falls. To prevent them, only go to playgrounds with plenty of mulch or sand underfoot. Kids under 4 lack the motor skills to climb jungle gyms.
CAR CRASHES: Child deaths from car accidents peak around July 4. Car seats are a must: They should be rear-facing for infants, forward-facing until age 5, and boosters until kids are 4-foot-10.
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