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Using sparklers on our nation's birthday is as traditional as cookouts and swimming and is equally safe if a few commonsense rules are followed. But according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 16 percent of all consumer fireworks injuries are caused by sparklers burning hands and legs, with the majority of sparkler injuries occurring to young children. These are injuries that would not have occurred if there had been close adult supervision and if some basic safety steps had been taken. The National Council on Fireworks Safety offers these safety steps for sparklers, in the hopes that sparkler injuries to young children can be greatly reduced:

Children under the age of 12 should not use sparklers without very close adult supervision.

Always remain standing while using sparklers.

Never hold a child in your arms while using sparklers.

Never hold, or light, more than one sparkler at a time.

Sparklers and bare feet can be a painful combination. Always wear closed-toe shoes when using sparklers.

Sparkler wire and stick remain hot long after the flame has gone out. Be sure to drop the spent sparklers directly in a bucket of water.

Never hand a lighted sparkler to another person. Give them the unlit sparkler and then light it.

Always stand at least 6 feet from another person while using sparklers.

Never throw sparklers.

Show children how to hold sparklers away from their body and at arm's length.

Teach children not to wave sparklers, especially wooden stick sparklers, or run while holding sparklers.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety urges Americans to be Sparkler Smart this Fourth of July in their holiday celebrations. For more information, visit www.fireworkssafety.org.

(6-30-09)

Using a lawnmower can be as routine as bike riding or barbeques during spring and summer. But often, people find themselves in terrifying situations with these seemingly safe household machines. In fact, 200,000 people – 16,000 of them children – are injured in lawn-mower-related accidents each year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports.

However, lawn mowers don't "attack" on their own. Most injuries – such as severed fingers and toes, limb amputations, broken bones, burns and eye injuries – are caused by careless use and can be prevented by following a few simple safety tips.

The American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons (ASMS), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) have teamed up to prevent injuries and educate adults and children about the importance of lawnmower safety during National Safety Month, June 2009.

"In 19 years of practice as a plastic surgeon and microsurgeon, some of the most devastating and disabling injuries I've treated are from lawnmower accidents," says ASRM President Dr. William Zamboni. "It's especially concerning when children are injured since most of these injuries are preventable."

Many lawnmower-related injuries require a team of physicians from various specialties – plastic surgery, microsurgery, maxillofacial surgery, pediatrics and orthopedics – to properly repair them. Often, patients must endure painful reconstructive operations for months, sometimes years, to restore form and function.

"Power lawnmowers are dangerous adult tools, but many children, and sometimes adults unfortunately, see them as toys," says ASPS President Dr. John Canady. "Lawn mowing can be dangerous to the operator as well as those nearby if proper safety precautions aren't taken. Physicians in this coalition often repair these heart wrenching injuries, and we feel it's our duty to help people avoid these accidents in the first place."

The ASRM, ASPS, ASMS, AAP and AAOS offer the following tips to help prevent lawnmower-related injuries:

Children should be at least 12 years old before they operate any lawnmower, and at least 16 years old for a ride-on mower.

Children should never be passengers on ride-on mowers.

Always wear sturdy shoes while mowing – not sandals.

Young children should be at a safe distance from the area you are mowing.

Pick up stones, toys and debris from the lawn to prevent injuries from flying objects.

Always wear eye and hearing protection.

Use a mower with a control that stops it from moving forward if the handle is released.

Never pull backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary – carefully look for others behind you when you do.

Start and refuel mowers outdoors – not in a garage. Refuel with the motor turned off and cool.

Blade settings should be set by an adult only.

Wait for blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute or crossing gravel roads. (As a safety feature, some newer models have a blade/brake clutch that stops the blade each time the operator releases the handle.)

"We are pleased to be part of this lawn mower injury prevention coalition," says ASMS President Dr. Kevin Kelly. "Maxillofacial plastic surgeons treat numerous facial injuries caused by lawnmowers, particularly to children, and the effects can be devastating. Very often, we see patients who suffer significant facial injuries by items thrown out of mowers like sticks and stones."

Photos of injured patients and a PSA video titled "When Lawn Mowers Attack" are available for download on ASPS' Web site at www.plasticsurgery.org/x8086.xml.

(6-30-09)

The most inclusive, family-friendly cruise gets even better with two more great reasons to sail with Disney Cruise Line this summer – a value-added offer and new talent for eight special "Disney Channel Summer at Sea" sailings.

Families looking for a fun-filled getaway can set sail this summer on the most magical ships at sea and receive $100 per day onboard spending credit with a verandah stateroom booking. This special offer is available on most Disney Cruise Line itineraries, including three-, four- and seven-night sailings to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

For example, a guest who selects a verandah stateroom would receive a $700 onboard spending credit when booking a seven-night cruise, a $400 credit when booking a four-night cruise or a $300 credit when booking a three-night cruise.

Guests may use the onboard spending credit to treat themselves and their family members to special indulgences, including rejuvenating spa treatments at the Vista Spa and Salon, shore excursions at ports of call, shopping onboard the ship and at Castaway Cay and purchasing keepsake photos at Shutters.

Offer valid on most sailings:

Seven-night cruises: June 20 to August 8, 2009

Four-night cruises: June 28 to August 9, 2009

Three-night cruises: June 25 to August 6, 2009

In a Disney exclusive, Disney Channel stars will set sail this summer, joining thousands of Disney Cruise Line guests aboard the Disney Wonder for eight special sailings during the first-ever "Disney Channel Summer at Sea," presented by Kodak.

During the special sailings – three- and four-night Bahamian cruises taking place July 9 through August 2 – Disney Channel stars will participate in onboard deck parties, join guests for Q&A and autograph sessions, preview screenings of Disney Channel programming and participate in live musical performances.

Disney Channel stars newly added to the summer's exciting lineup of talent include Roshon Fegan from Camp Rock (July 9-12, July 12-16); Chelsea Staub from Camp Rock (July 23-26, July 26-30); Oleysa Rulin from High School Musical (July 16-19, July 19-23); and musical act KSM (July 30-August 2).

Just some of the other top stars scheduled to participate include Mitchel Musso from Hannah Montana (July 19-23); Jason Earles from Hannah Montana (July 16-19, July 19-23); Tiffany Thornton from Sonny with a Chance (July 9-12, July 12-16); Alyson Stoner from Camp Rock (August 2-6); and Debby Ryan from The Suite Life on Deck (July 30-August 2).

For more information, visit www.disneycruise.com.

(6-23-09)

Disneynature has acquired the North American and Mexican distribution rights to the exciting new underwater film OceanWorld 3D, the first feature-length nature documentary ever filmed and released in 3D.

The film is presented by Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of the legendary Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau, and was directed and produced respectively by veteran filmmakers Jean-Jacques and Francois Mantello (Sharks 3D, Ocean Wonderland 3D, Dolphins and Whales 3D: Tribes of the Ocean).

This deal marks the first collaboration between Disneynature and 3D Entertainment, a company founded in 2001 to produce unique and immersive 3D story-driven experiences for audiences of all ages. OceanWorld 3D, an 85-minute feature film, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival Annual Film Market last month, and will be released theatrically in France and Russia starting this August. The film's North America debut will be announced at a later date.

OceanWorld 3D takes moviegoers on an awesome journey that captures the beauty and diversity of the oceans – the source of all life on our planet – and inspires them to protect its fragile ecosystem and inhabitants. Guided by a sea turtle, viewers will enjoy a close-up look at her fascinating world from the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and Argentina's Peninsula Valdez to Mexico's Roca Partida Island, home to thousands of sharks. They will witness some of the most unforgettable scenes of life beneath the waves ever captured: the manta ray's enchanting ballet, the noble procession of hammerhead sharks; the lionfish's relentless hunt; dolphins playing algae-soccer; the astonishing beauty of the Spanish dancer sea slug and leafy sea dragon; and an exceptional encounter with the largest cetaceans on the planet.

The film is the result of seven years of production, 25 international expeditions and 200 hours of footage shot exclusively in the wild in 3D.

For more information, visit www.disney.com/nature.

(6-23-09)

Swimming is a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy, but proper pool safety is essential. The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBPSSA), which took effect in December 2008, now requires that new anti-entrapment devices be installed.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 300 children under the age of 5 drown in pools/spas each year and an additional 5,000 to 6,000 children are severely injured. Many of these accidents are due to broken or improperly installed drain covers. The VGBPSSA requires installation of new, stronger drain covers, which are designed to resist UV degradation and prevent body parts or hair from becoming trapped in the drain due to suction.

To help reduce the potential for accidents in and around the pool, NSF International, a public health and safety organization, is offering free pool safety tips on its Web site. NSF's recreational water safety experts have developed the following tips to help families create a safer swimming environment:

Make sure properly-sized drain covers are installed. Don't allow anyone to play with or remove a drain cover. Consider upgrading to new certified drain covers that meet the requirements of the VGBPSSA.

There is no substitute for adult supervision – a responsible adult should be present at the pool side at all times, especially when non-swimmers or small children are present.

Establish and enforce rules for pool use. Make sure kids do not run or play games near the pool and that any wheeled toys, such as tricycles, are kept away from the pool area.

Be sure to drain any standing water from the surface of the pool cover, as small children can drown in even the smallest amount of water. Always remove the cover completely before allowing anyone to swim. This will help prevent swimmers from getting trapped underneath the cover.

Make sure your pool area is surrounded by a fence that complies with local building codes. Gates leading to the pool area should have a self-closing and self-latching mechanism to prevent unauthorized entry.

Another option to help prevent unauthorized access to your pool would be a certified barrier or pool alarm. In addition to above-ground, floating and submerged alarms, there are even wristband alarms available that can be placed on small children to help alert parents if a child should accidentally fall into the water.

For more information, visit NSF.org.

(6-23-09)

The first-ever national estimate among a nationally representative sample of U.S. children reveals that 3 out of every 1,000 children between the age of 6 and 17 in the United States have been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome (TS), according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

The study, "Prevalence of Diagnosed Tourette Syndrome in Children in the United States, 2007," found that a TS diagnosis is three times more common in boys than in girls, and approximately twice as common in children between 12 to 17 years as those aged 6 to 12 years. Among children with TS, 27 percent were reported as having moderate or severe TS, and 79 percent of children had also been diagnosed with at least one additional mental health or neurodevelopmental condition.

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder that typically begins during early childhood, with symptoms being most severe between the ages of 10 and 12 years. TS is characterized by recurring multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic. Tics are involuntary, repetitive, stereotyped, usually sudden and rapid movements or vocalizations that may be suppressed for short periods of time.

"TS and tic disorders have been linked to higher rates of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and impairments associated with these conditions, such as learning disabilities and problems with peer relations," says Dr. Rebecca Bitsko, Health Scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Given the high number of children diagnosed with TS who have another mental health or neurodevelopmental condition, it is necessary to further study the relation between these conditions."

Further, the data show that non-Hispanic white children are more than twice as likely as non-Hispanic black children or Hispanic children to have a parent-reported TS diagnosis.

"Having an estimate of the number of U.S. children who are diagnosed with TS is a first step toward understanding the overall impact of this condition in the population," says Dr. Bitsko. "Further research must examine differences in access to health care for children with TS in different population groups, the impact of TS on the quality of life, long term outcomes for children with TS, and strategies for reducing the impact of conditions associated with TS."

For more information about Tourette Syndrome and other birth defects, call toll free 1-800 CDC-INFO.

(6-16-09)

Matthew Ranfone was only 2 years old when he slipped out of his Orlando home, into an enclosed patio area and through a pool fence into the backyard pool. His parents found him minutes later floating face down. Matthew Ranfone died 13 days later from the injuries sustained in the near drowning.

The Ranfone's story is not unique. It is estimated that in the last decade more than 100 children nationwide have drowned, nearly drowned or been injured after exiting the home through a pet door. Yet few parents know about this hidden hazard. Today Mathew's mother, Carol Ranfone, is launching a Web site, www.PetAccessDangers.org, to raise awareness of this danger and advocate for change in the industry.

"Our family has chosen to respond to Matthew's death by informing the public and working to ensure that pet doors are made safer," Carol Ranfone says. "Matthew didn't have a chance to grow up, but we hope that our advocacy will keep other children out of harm's way."

Pet-door-related drowning incidents have been identified through news stories, public health specialists, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and coroners/medical examiners. "But the total number to date underestimates the true scope of the problem because most accidental drownings are classified only by cause of death or injury and do not identify how the child accessed the water," says Sean Kane, president of Safety Research & Strategies, whose firm has been researching the issue nationally. "Child injury researchers are well aware of the link between pet access doors and child injury and death, but many parents and caregivers do not appreciate the risk associated with use of a pet door, and how young children can drown, become lost, wander into streets, or otherwise become seriously injured or killed after exiting a home through a pet door."

The size of the opening appears deceptively small. Parents may believe that their child is safely contained inside the home. But an average "medium" pet door with a typical opening of 8 by 11 inches is recommended by manufacturers for use with pets up to 40 pounds. A 95th percentile, 3-year-old male child weighs only 38 pounds and can easily pass through this opening. Reasonable and economically feasible alternatives to the simple flap-style pet door closure exist, yet companies are still marketing and selling these doors with no locking mechanism and without warnings.

"Manufacturers, while quick to blame parents for a lack of supervision, are aware of the risk that pet doors pose to small children," says product safety attorney Henry Didier, who represents the Ranfone family. "These manufacturers are in a position to reduce or eliminate the risk before the consumer even purchases the product, and to date, they have not."

Through www.PetAccessDangers.org, Carol Ranfone hopes to spare other families from the pain her family has endured, and encourage the pet door industry to improve their designs. The Web site also urges public agencies, hospitals and medical examiners' offices to incorporate a coding system to provide more accurate data as to how a child may have reached the water or other hazard. This information is critical to understanding the true scope of the safety issues surrounding pet door products and the risk they pose to the public.

(6-02-09)

To celebrate the newly opened "American Idol Experience" attraction at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Kris Allen shouted the famous words "I'm Going to Disney World!" immediately after being crowned the newest "American Idol" in the show's star-studded season finale on Wednesday night, May 20, in Los Angeles.

Camera crews captured Allen's celebratory pronouncement on the Nokia Theatre stage mere moments after American Idol host Ryan Seacrest announced the champion's name to millions of viewers watching worldwide. Not only did the newly crowned Idol shout "I'm Going to Disney World!" at the spot's conclusion, his voice also was featured throughout the ad as he performed the iconic song, "When You Wish Upon a Star."

And with the same immediacy that has made the Disney spot one of the most beloved commercials of all-time, the newest "I'm Going to Disney World!" commercial aired on television within hours of the "American Idol" finale. Starring in a role usually occupied by sports stars – including Super Bowl heroes and World Series champs – Kris Allen is the second singer to ever star in the Disney commercial in its 20+-year history. (The 2008 American Idol champion, David Cook, was the first.)

Allen's role in the newest "I'm Going to Disney World" commercial celebrates "The American Idol Experience," the new American Idol-themed attraction that had a February 2009 grand opening at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Disney's Hollywood Studios is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

"The American Idol Experience" – the first major theme park attraction in the world based on the popular television series – was developed by Walt Disney Imagineering in conjunction with FremantleMedia Enterprises and 19 TV Ltd. In the attraction, Disney guests are able to experience the glitz and glamour of the American Idol television show, whether they are auditioning for a Disney producer, performing on-stage in front of a packed theater or voting for their favorite performance from their audience seats.

Attraction performers who receive the most audience votes in the preliminary shows return to star in that evening's grand finale show. In addition to their new-found theme park fame, the top vote-getting guest in the finale show receives "The American Idol Experience" Dream Ticket – which allows an eligible holder to schedule a front-of-the-line audition at a future regional audition for the American Idol television show.

For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/idol.

(5-26-09)

Fuji EnviroMAX, one of the first eco-respectful, high-performance batteries on the market, won two awards this month creating a "family friendly" identity for the brand.

The 2009 Seal of Approval from The National Parenting Center called the batteries "impressive" for their performance and reviewers vowed to rethink their own future battery purchases. The 2009 iParenting Media Award chose the batteries for Outstanding Product in the "Gear and Accessories" category as the "innovative product that will have a positive, long-term impact on the environment."

For more information about Fuji EnviroMAX batteries, visit www.greenfuji.com. Learn more about the iParenting Awards here. (5-26-09)

With Memorial Day around the corner, trauma season is upon us. Over the next four months, 17 children a day are expected to die from a traumatic injury that could have been prevented. A new Safe Kids USA study, sponsored by Johnson and Johnson, for the first time links research on a child's cognitive, behavioral and physical development at different stages of their life and the risk of unintentional injury because of these developmental limitations. The report, Raising Safe Kids: One Stage at a Time, also provides age-appropriate safety tips for parents and caregivers so they know exactly when and why to take certain safety precautions – at all ages of a child's development.

Here are some highlights from the research and examples of safety tips to assist in decreasing the number of preventable traumatic injuries to children this summer:

Infancy (0 to 12 months old):
Report finding: Infants, children ages 0 to 12 months, are a vulnerable group for unintentional injury, as they are just beginning their development and are completely reliant on adults for their care and safety. It is the parent's or caregiver's responsibility to create a safe environment for infants.

Tip: Never leave a child alone in a car. When left in a vehicle, even on a cool but sunny day, a young child's core body temperature may increase three to five times faster than an adult's. This can cause permanent injury or even death.

Early Childhood (children 1 to 4 years old):
Report finding: Due to their underdeveloped muscles and bones and limited sensory abilities, they're more prone to falls. Since social skills are not yet developed, children this age imitate others and surpass their physical abilities for climbing or using playground equipment, increasing the likelihood of an injury.

Tip: Provide safe places to play. Only allow your child to play on playgrounds with 12 inches of safe surfaces such as shredded rubber, hardwood fiber/mulch or fine sand below the equipment to reduce the risk of serious injuries in case of a fall.

Middle Childhood (5 to 9 years old):
Report finding: Since this age group is more likely to play in groups, they are more vulnerable to peer pressure for participating in risky playground behaviors such as misuse of playground equipment and jumping from swings or parallel bars.

Tip: Make sure children use age-appropriate playground equipment for 5- to 12-year-olds. Children enjoy playing in groups and are more vulnerable to peer pressure for misusing playground equipment. Tell them what equipment is appropriate for their age levels.

Early Adolescence (10 to 14 years old):
Report finding: Visual perception is less defined even for early adolescents and they still lack the ability to discern an object from within a noisy background – an important skill to have to identify oncoming cars.

Tip: Make sure your child wears a helmet and protective gear every time he/she uses a bike, scooter, skateboard and inline skates. Nearly 630 children are injured daily from a bicycle-related incident, yet 15 to 20 percent of children don't wear helmets when on a bike. A helmet can prevent more than 80 percent of serious traumatic brain injuries if that child falls or is hit by a car.

(5-26-09)