Florida Child Injury Law Blog

Archive for July, 2011

Dogs can be unpredictable. And although fatal dog bite injuries are rare, more than 30 people died from dog bite injuries in the U.S. last year. Dog bite injuries are so common that reports say over a half-million people each year go to the hospital for treatment. Most treatment given for such injuries in the hospital emergency room are to a child bitten by a dog.

 Experts who understand dog behavior say teaching kids how to be safe around dogs can prevent a child from being bitten.

Here are basic tips for kids and adults to remember when around dogs:

•  Never disturb a sleeping dog, or a dog that is eating, or a dog that has puppies
•  Don’t pet a dog unless it sniffs you first, present a closed hand and let the dog check you out
•  When you do pet it, gently rub the shoulder or chest, not the top of the head
•  Avoid making eye contact with a dog
•  If you are approached by a strange dog, stand still and let it sniff you, then slowly walk away after the dog loses interest
•  If you are faced with an aggressive dog and are chased, put something between you and the dog – a backpack or a jacket. Let the dog have it while you escape
•  Children should never approach a strange dog or play with a dog unless an adult is present
•  If knocked over by a dog, a child should pull himself into a ball and remain motionless

 If a child is bitten by a dog, report the incident to animal control immediatley. Do not try to catch the dog. If the wound is serious, get medical attention right away. For additional information, request a free copy of  “When Kids Suffer Big Injuries,” by Clearwater Child Injury Attorney  Jim Dodson.  It is full of useful information about what to do after an injury – including answers to questions about insurance and dealing with an adjuster, how to get medical bills paid and much, much more.

 It’s official! As of June 28, 2011, there is a federal ban on the manufacture, sale and resale of drop side cribs. Drop side cribs have been blamed in the deaths of more than 30 infants and toddlers. And they are suspected in about dozen other infant fatalities. The cribs have a side rail that can be raised and lowered to allow parents to more easily place or lift a baby.

 Another encouraging and significant change in child safety is a new standard that mandates more rigorous safety tests for children’s cribs before they go on the market. CPSC chairman said these are the toughest safety standards in the world.

 New cribs will have all 4 sides fixed and will be sturdier due to tougher testing requirements.

 CPCS says hotels, day care centers and companies that rent cribs have until December 28, 2012 to purchase cribs that meet the new safety standards. A baby’s crib is the biggest and most important purchase a parent makes for a new baby. Thankfully, parents will have  safe options with these new safety standards.

“When Kids Suffer Big Injuries,” a free guide available to families in Florida who need answers after a child suffers a  serious injury.

Call 1-727-446-0840, for yours today.