It isn't easy being a kid, but it gets worse in the summer.

Nationally, childhood accidents and fatalities due to accidents dramatically increase in the summer months -- and Utah ranks near the bottom of a new safety report.

A report released Monday by Safe Kids Worldwide ranked Utah 39th based on the rate of unintentional injuries that occur in the months from May to August.

Each state and the District of Columbia was ranked based on the state's child unintentional death rate and the percent change in a five-year period.

Officials say Utah ranked 39th for a variety of reasons, but the specific problems are unknown.

"There is no one magic bullet," said Sharon Hines-Stringer, director of Safe Kids Utah.

Child advocacy manager and co-coordinator of Safe Kids Utah Janet Brooks said if she knew she would fix it.

"That is a million-dollar question," she said.

Janet Frank, spokeswoman for Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, said the hospital sees an increase in near-drownings during the summer months, but not broken bones.

In 2006, there were three near-drownings, all between the months of May and August. The number of broken bones was least in the summer months.

One possible explanation could be the family size in Utah.

Brooks said perhaps in larger families, the attention of parents and caregivers is divided rather than focused on only one or two children.

The average American family has 3.18 members, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In Utah, the average is 3.56, and in Utah County the average is 3.95 people.

Seven percent of America's population is younger than age 5. In Utah, it's 9.7 percent. Utah County's percentage is still higher -- 11.8 percent.

Another factor could be the number of outdoor activities available in a more rural state.

Nationally, the highest causes of death are drowning, bike and car accidents, and falling.

Brooks said that in Utah, motor vehicle-related accidents were the leading cause of injuries and death, followed by drowning.

To prevent childhood injuries, officials said the best protection is a close watch.

"Obviously we need to be conscious of what our kids are doing. That doesn't mean that we put them in bubble wrap," said Lance Madigan, spokesman for the Utah County Health Department.

Brooks said she couldn't emphasize active supervision enough. Almost every instance of childhood accident could have been prevented if a caregiver had been paying attention. Brooks said there should be a designated watcher who does nothing but keep his or her eyes on the children.

The next most important thing parents can do is put their children in the proper car seat. Being properly restrained can help save lives.

"We know that we can reduce death and injury by at least half," Brooks said.

Hines-Stringer said drivers should obey speed limits and walk around vehicles before they back out in case a child is behind the car.

Madigan also said parents need to do simple things, such as ensuring children wear bike helmets and knee pads.

Brooks agreed.

"If your child has a bike helmet, don't let it sit on the shelf," she said.

The study ranked Vermont No. 1 in front of New Jersey, the District of Columbia, New York and Delaware. Wyoming ranked last.

Brittani Lusk can be reached at 344-2549 or at blusk@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.