The April Fool's Day Defense Kit

This Slate article is for real and helps hold your hand as you tiptoe through the dastardly April firsts ahead *cough* if you make it *cough*.

Says the primer by Jack Shafer, "This year, don't be taken for a sucker by the media."

Learn to look out, fraidy cat, and recognize hoaxes waiting to happen and get me one of those left-handed Whoppers while you're at it. The dangerous areas discussed include:

• Beware strange animals.
• Turn off your radio.
• Shun the British press.
• If they pranked before, they'll prank again.
• Too good to be true.
• The ice-melting, penguin-eating hotheaded naked ice borer.

Be brave. If you need me, I'll be under my bed.

Be Prepared: The April Fool's Day Defense Kit