Florida Child Injury Law Blog

Archive for the ‘Burns & Fireworks Injuries’ Category

The National Fire Protection Association reports preschoolers and kindergarteners are most likely to start fires and die in them while playing with matches, lighters, and other heat sources.

National Fire Prevention Week  is a good time to focus on fire safety in the home. Check or install smoke alarms in your homes, change batteries if needed, have an escape plan in the event there is an emergency fire and talk to your kids about fire safety – in language they can understand.

An excellent teaching tool for young children is “Brecker Bunny Asks for Help – A Lesson in Fire Safety,” by Hilary Bilbery and Safe Kids. “Brecker” helps out by teaching kids to tell an adult if they see matches or lighter or other things that might cause a fire around the house. Here are some startling facts about children and fire:

• In 2006, children playing with fire started an estimated 14,500 structure fires that were reported to U.S. fire departments, causing an estimated 130 civilian deaths, 810 civilian injuries and $328 million in direct property damage.
• Nearly two-thirds (63%) of all fatal victims of fires by playing are children 5 years old and younger.
• Nearly two out of every three child-playing fires — and four out of five deaths and injuries — involve matches or lighters.
• The items ignited by home fire-play are principally mattresses, bedding or clothing (NFPA)

Fire Prevention Reminders:

1. Store matches and lighters out of children’s reach and sight, up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.
2. Never use lighters or matches as a source of amusement for children; they may imitate you.
3. If your child expresses curiosity about fire or has been playing with fire, calmly but firmly explain that matches and lighters are tools for adults only.

Clearwater Child Burn Injury Lawyer James W. Dodson, child safety advocate and your online resource for health, safety and legal information.

This week is Fire Prevention Week - an important time to be reminded of fire safety in our homes. On average, 436 children die each year from fire-related injuries in the home. The likelihood of fatal injuries suffered in a fire is reduced by one half  in homes where families have working smoke alarms installed, compared to those who do not.

The theme for 2010 is “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With.”

Safe Kids USA has some important safety reminders for us during Fire Prevention Week:

• Put a smoke alarm on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area, and in every bedroom.
• Smoke alarms can be battery-operated or electrically hardwired in your home and are available at a variety of price points.
• If you have hearing problems, use alarms with flashing strobe lights and vibration.
• Test your smoke alarms at night to see if your child will wake up and respond to the alarm. Children sleep more deeply and may not wake up. If your child does not wake up to the alarm, try an alarm where you can program your voice to alert him or her.
• Mount smoke alarms high on walls or ceilings since smoke rises. Ceiling-mounted alarms should be installed at least 4 inches away from the nearest wall. Wall-mounted alarms should be installed 4 to 12 inches away from the ceiling.
• Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years.
• Consider installing both ionization alarms, which are better at sensing flaming fires, and photoelectric alarms, which are better at sensing slow, smoky fires, or dual sensor alarms.

Clearwater Child Burn Injury Lawyer James Dodson, your online resource for health, safety and legal consumer information and author of “When Kids Suffer Big Injuries,” available free to Florida residents @ 1-888-340-0840.

As a Clearwater Child Injury Lawyer, some of the most difficult cases I handle are those which  involve injured children. Hundreds of thousands of children are hurt each year in preventable accidents.  The purpose of our law firm’s legal blog is to raise awareness of the increasing number of children who are accidentally injured  and to educate parents about  injury prevention/ child safety. Knowledge is power.  We can work together to  keep our children/grandchildren safe.

The folks at the Home Safety Council, Lowe’s and fire and life safety professionals from the community are big supporters of child safety too. They are kicking off National Fire Safety Month with a special, day-long safety celebration. Lowe’s is planning a  day of safety fun for the entire family and the chance to learn how to keep your family safe from fire and other home dangers.

When: Saturday, September 25, 2010
Time: 10:00 am until 2:00 pm
Where: Lowe’s store parking lot

To find a Lowe’s near you, visit the Lowe’s store locator.  Check the Safety Saturday Web site for more information as the draws closer. If you can’t make it to the Safety Saturday event at Lowe’s on September 25, you can still make any day safer for your child.

Use the Home Safety Council’s Safety Saturday starter ideas to take home safety in your own hands.

Clearwater Child Injury Lawyer Jim Dodson, author of  the No Cost consumer guide, “When Kids Suffer Big Injuries” available online or by calling toll free @ 1-888-340-0840.

Dodson Law Firm, “Working to make safety every child’s reality.”

 Independence Day is fast approaching and as with every 4^th of July, this means one thing to children…fireworks!  Unfortunately, thousands of children are injured in fireworks accidents every year.  Some sustain second and third degree burns on their hands and legs, while others suffer scarring and permanent disfigurement and others tragically, die from fatal injuries.

 The Dodson Law Firm represents children injured in serious burn-related injuries as well as from fireworks accidents. Firework burn injuries can be some of the worst injuries a child can suffer. Their danger is very real.   

 According to the U.S. Product Safety Commission, last year fireworks were involved in almost 9,000 emergency room visits.   Children and young adults under the age of 20 accounted for more than half of all the injuries. 

 More Fireworks Facts:

•  Firecrackers and sparklers are responsible for the greatest number of injuries for children 14 & younger
• Half of all fireworks injuries happen to bystanders
• 200 children age 4 years and under were injured by sparklers in 2007
• Males were involved in 73% of all fireworks accidents in 2009

 This holiday, consider taking your family to a supervised public fireworks display put on by trained professionals.

 Here in the Tampa-Clearwater -St. Pete area, there are several 4^th of July events and celebrations planned.

 Please enjoy your holiday and keep safe!  Working to make safety, every child’s reality – your Florida Child Injury Lawyer

Thousands of deaths and injuries occur each year as the result of children playing with fire.   More often than not, preschoolers and kindergarten age boys and girls are responsible for fire accidents, primarily because they have played with matches and lighters.  Sadly they are most likely to die from burn injuries.

 Children & Fire:  Facts & Figures

In 2006 children playing with fire started an estimated 14,500 structural fires

• 63% of all fire-related playing fatalities are children 5 and under
• Matches and lighters are involved in 80% of deaths and injuries started by children while playing

 Just last week a Tampa family was forced to leave their house due to a fire started by their 8-year-old child while his mother was away.  The boy who had been playing with matches set fire to a mattress that had been leaning against the house.  The fire erupted through the wood framed house and spread to the attic.  The damages were said to be worth $75,000.  The flames were so intense that the vinyl siding on a neighbor’s house was melted.  Fortunately, there were no injuries. 

Although this fire appears to have occurred outside of the home, the National Fire Protection Association states that people have nearly a 50% better chance of surviving a residential fire if their home has the recommended number of smoke alarms. Click on the link for additional safety tips provided by the National Fire Protection Association.

Clearwater Florida Child Burn Injury lawyer, working to make safety every child’s reality.

Fire and burn injuries are the second leading cause of accidental death in childlren ages 1-18. Over 100 children a day are treated in emergency rooms for kitchen and scald burns alone.  Aside from the pain and suffering young burn victims must endure, the emotional and psychological trauma is often devastating.

The Children’s Burn Camp of Florida, in Umatilla  offers a safe haven for burn injured children to go for fun, friendship and a chance to see that they are not alone. It is the first statewide burn camp of its kind. Held at the Florida Elk’s Youth Camp, the second weekend in November, the camp is a wonderful opportunity for children who have suffered severe burn injuries to share their feelings.  CBF pays 100% of the expenses for children between the ages of 6-17 to attend the camp- including transporting, lodging, feeding and entertaining. The only restrictions are that the children be one year post burn and be comfortable being away from family members.

For more information  about this wonderful camp supported by volunteers and operated on private and corporate donations – with no paid staff, visit their website @ www.childrensburnfoundationoffl.com

Florida Child Burn Injury Lawyer in Clearwater, working to make safety every child’s reality.

Children playing with fire cause hundreds of injuries and deaths each year. Preschoolers and kindergartners often start these fires, usually  by playing with matches and lighters, and are most likely to die in them.

Facts & figures

• In 2006, children playing with fire started an estimated 14,500 structure fires that were reported to U.S. fire departments, causing an estimated 130 civilian deaths, 810 civilian injuries and $328 million in direct property damage.
• Nearly two-thirds (63%) of all fatal victims of fires by playing are children 5 years old and younger.
• Nearly two out of every three child-playing fires — and four out of five associated deaths and injuries — involve matches or lighters.
• The items ignited by home fire-play are principally mattresses, bedding or clothing.

Source: NFPA’s “Children Playing with Fire“

Stories like this inspire us all!  Last week, a 12-year-old boy, Danny Happy stood front and center at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.  He was being honored at the East-West Shrine Game.  Cameras followed his every move, the mayor shook his hand and introduced himself.  For Danny, being alive was indeed a special feat. 

 Just two years ago, he suffered burns over 95 percent of his body when a private plane crashed into his Sanford, Florida  home.  His little sister, 4-year-old Gabriela Dechat, like the neighbors next door, was killed. Since that time he has survived 42 surgeries and some unimaginable suffering. 

 The family’s lawyers settled the lawsuit with the plane’s owner, NASCAR.  It’s reported that the terms are enough to take care of all future surgeries.  It’s not known what future health concerns he might have as a result of the accident, since it is so rare for someone burned so badly to survive.

 Despite the enormous adversity, Danny maintains a positive outlook.  As the cameras circled around him he said, “Today I feel very alive.  I am very happy to be here.”

Read the entire article here.

  How safe is your home for a child?  Are there any areas that are potentially harmful?  We recently came across an article about childproofing a home with some very helpful reminders.  Let’s examine a few. 

 1. Smoke Detectors.  A smoke detector should be installed in every bedroom in your home, as well as the kitchen and hallway areas.  Testing your smoke detectors every month is a good habit to employ, (also – consider the “change your clock/change your smoke detector battery” system, during daylight savings time.

 2. Electrical Outlet Covers.  Young children get into everything!  They need to be protected from electrical shock or possible electrocution. 

 3. Anti-Scald Valves.  The skin on a baby or a young child is much more sensitive than an adult’s.  Installing an anti-scald device in your faucets and shower heads is a smart move!  Don’t forget to set your water heater temperature to 118 degrees to help prevent child burns.

 Examine your home today, not only for your child’s safety, but their friends as well…and your peace of mind! For more articles and information concerning child safety and injury prevention, visit our Florida Child Injury website at http://www.jwdodsonlaw.com/practice_areas/child-injuries1.cfm

Reading a recent article in the St. Petersburg Times about a 7 year old child who was playing with a lighter setting off a house fire which took firefighters 15 mintues to contain, reminds us all of the need to educate our children about the dangers of  playing with fire.

Child fire safety education is important early in a child’s life. Playing with fire at a early age can lead to fires, burns, and severe scarring which can permanently injury a child for life.

A wonderful website for fire safety for children can be found at Kids Health. This website offers great safety tips on how you can educate your child while making sure your home is safe.  Adult supervision and education are important to  preventing a fire such as the one in the link listed above.

Additional safety information is available on our Florida Child Injury Lawyer website in the document library. Click here for a resource entitled  ”Fire Safety 101.”