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Kids and Football Safety

  Nothing says fall more than football, whether that means watching a professional game on TV with family and friends or having your child go out for the team. Even with all the excitement around the start of the season, there are still plenty of football safety concerns, especially for younger players. The biggest question for parents is usually “at what age can my child start playing tackle football?” This question made headlines recently when former NFL coach John Madden  spoke out against younger children playing the sport. “I’m a firm believer that there’s no way that a 6-year-old should have a helmet on and learn a tackling drill,” he said in an interview. Because children have proportionally larger heads to their bodies than adults, they’re more prone to injury. Mark Hyman, co-author of Concussion and Our Kids: America’s Leading Expert on How to Protect Young Athletes and Keep Sports Safe argues that kids shouldn’t be allowed to play tackle football until they’re at least age 14. Even for those who wait until their freshman year of high school to play football, there’s still risk. In 2012, football was responsible for 394,350 emergency roommates in athletes under age 19. These young athletes

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Pool Safety Tips

In the summer months, there are few things children love more than spending a summer afternoon swimming at the pool. Going to the pool is a great way to spend time with your family, get relief from the summer heat, and get some great exercise. However, pools pose a risk of drowning and injury—specifically head and spinal injuries. It is estimated that nine people drown every day in the United States, and drowning is the leading cause of accidental injury-related death for children between the ages of 1 and 4. Furthermore, each year approximately 800 Americans are permanently paralyzed from diving-related accidents. That’s why it’s so important to take the necessary precautions to ensure your child’s safety while in and around a pool. The following safety tips will help make you and your child’s pool days safe and fun this summer. Never Let Children Swim Unattended—Even kids who are great swimmers are at risk of drowning. It is essential to constantly watch children in the pool, as only a few seconds of distraction is enough time for a child to drown. It is equally as important to watch your children carefully at pools with lifeguards. The guard on duty must

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