Florida Child Injury Law Blog

Archive for the ‘Child Safety’ Category

Each year in Florida, so many young children lose their lives due to drowning accidents, particularly during the warm summer months. Although winter and cooler temperatures have arrived,  don’t let your guard down when it comes to protecting children anytime they are around a backyard swimming pool.

 Florida leads the nation for drowning deaths in children under 5 years old. And while supervision remains at the top of the list for drowning prevention, it is not the cause of drowning. Supervising children 100% of the time is impossible. Although most caregivers do an excellent job of keeping a watchful eye on children in and around water, the majority of drownings happen when children gained access to a pool area while adults were busy handling another child, a chore or think the child is playing or napping.

Florida Safe Pools, a water safety initiative program in our area has the right idea! The program focuses on the use of multiple layers of protection around a backyard swimming pool and its goal is to keep young children from getting or falling into it, in the first place.  Combined with adult supervision, the layer approach is in effort to reduce the number of drownings in our state.

 What are “multiple layers?” These layers of protection are as simple as a baby gate, door alarm, extra door locks, pool alarm, or a fenced in pool area. The additional layers are needed to HELP caregivers keep a watchful eye.

 Please visit FloridaSafePool.com to find out how to make your pool the safest on the block. You can even register for an in-home safety check at http://flsafepools.com/safety  and may even qualify for a free door alarm and installation.

 FloridaSafePool.com is Tampa Bay’s online resource for information on pool gates, alarms and swimming pool safety – made possible through a collaborative effort of All Children’s Hospital, Safe Kids of the Suncoast, Fl Dept. of Health, local Fire Depts., Parent Guide Magazine and Cox Media. A great group of people who are dedicated to keeping kids safe.

Our Clearwater Child Injury Law Firm is working to make safety every child’s reality.

In chapter  one of “When Kids Suffer Big Injuries: A Parent’s Guide to Child Injury in Florida,”  I discuss the tragic fact  that  motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of injuries to children. Almost 700 children are hurt in car accidents each day and 2,000 children die from injuries in car accidents each year.

We all know the importance of having our children/grandchildren safely secured in an age appropriate child safety device in our cars. But  if their restraint is not installed correctly or is not being used properly your child is at great risk of serious harm.

Did you know 4 out of 5 car seats are not installed properly? Could yours be one of them? Get your child’s car seat checked by a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. Here’s some helpful info on an upcoming safety event:

Where: All Children’s Specialty Care of Pasco

                  4443 Rowan Rd.

                  New Port Richey, Fl

When: Friday August 27, 2010 9:00am – 12:00pm

Appointments are required: Call 727-834-5403 to schedule yours!

What Parents Need to Do: Provide the age and weight for each child under 8 when making the appointment. Bring the child to the fitting station appointment using the child’s current car seat. Allow at least 20 to 30 minutes for each seat to be checked. Be prepared to purchase a replacement child restraint if the current restraint is unsafe. There are no free child restraints at fitting stations. Seats are replaced AT COST. Provide the vehicle owner’s manual. Provide the child restraint instructions.

For additional locations, times and dates of more car safety seat inspection events, click here.

Reminder, you must make an appointment and it’s always best to call first to verify times and locations.

The Dodson Law Firm, Working to Make Safety Every Child’s Reality!

Clearwater Child Injury Lawyer Jim Dodson is the author of  “When Kids’s Suffer Big Injuries,” available for free by calling 1.888.340.0840 or online at http://www.childinjurylawyerflorida.com/reports/florida-child-injury-consumer-guide-free-child-injury-book-must-read.cfm. If your child was injured due to the carelessness of another person, Jim provides answers to many of  your questions and concerns in his book or if you prefer, feel free to  call our office and speak to Judi to arrange a time to talk to Jim  directly.

Last month seven manufacturers recalled two million cribs.  In November, Stork Craft recalled 2.1 million drop-side cribs that were a danger to babies.  36 child deaths have been attributed to faulty cribs since 2007. 

As a result, much needed and  new mandatory safety standards for cribs might become a reality in 2011.

 The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted 5-0 Wednesday in favor of the proposed regulations. The new rules would essentially ban the manufacture and sale of the very popular drop-side cribs. The announcement of the vote coincided with Pottery Barn Kids recalling 80,000 drop-side cribs that posed entrapment, suffocation and fall hazards. 

 It’s believed the new rules could come into effect next summer if a final vote in December is passed.

Clearwater St. Petersburg Child Accident and Injury Lawyer and author James Dodson, has written “When Kids Suffer Big Injuries, A Parents Guide to Child Injury in Florida,”  to provide parents and guardians with basic information to help them make informed decisions to protect their child’s legal rights. Request your FREE copy today.

 35,000 bottles of Scope Original Mint Mouthwash have been recalled in a cooperative manner between U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the manufacturer, Proctor and Gamble.  The recalled bottles have the number 4 on the bottom.    

 The one liter size bottles are being recalled due to malfunctioning child-resistant caps.  Proctor and Gamble also omitted an important message on that bottles in not stating, “This Package for Households without Young Children.” 

 One of the ingredients contained in the mouthwash, ethyl alcohol, is toxic.  Ethyl alcohol can cause serious injury or death if ingested by a child.   Every seven minutes a child under the age of 5 goes to the Emergency Room because of an unintentional poisoning.  Household products are responsible for 60% of the poisoning accidents with children under 5.   

 There have been no incidents or injuries reported.

Are birth defects the leading cause of death in children and adolescents?   Is sunscreen the best defense against sunburn for babies 6 months and under?  Get answers to these questions and more by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

 Test your knowledge about kids’ health and safety. Unintentional injuries, not birth defects, are the leading cause of death in children and adolescents.  The greatest threats to child safety come in the form of the following accidents and injuries:

• Poisonings
• Playground Injuries
• Car Accidents as Child Passengers
• Fireworks-Related Injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Fire and Burn Injuries in the Home
• Teen  Car and Motor Vehicle Accidents

 Our Clearwater /St. Petersburg, Florida Child Injury Law Firm has served the needs of  families for over twenty five years. If your child was injured due to someone’s carelessness or negligence, you may have unanswered questions and certainly, you have concerns. Request a copy of  Florida Child Injury Lawyer James Dodson’s free consumer guide, “When Kids Suffer Big Injuries, A Parent’s Guide to Child Injury in Florida” as a first step to understanding  your legal rights or call our toll free number (888) 340-0840 to speak directly with Attorney Dodson. There is  no obligation to hire an attorney.

U.S. News and Health Report recently published a report on protecting children against germs.  Every year, 4.5 million children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of infections.  Generally, vaccines and preventive measures such as your child regularly washing their hands with soap and water are good tactics to ward off infections.

 7  Dangerous Childhood germs: 

 Rotavirus -This virus causes severe dehydration and diarrhea.  Since 2006, admissions have dropped 45% because of 2 vaccines, RotaTeq and Rotarix.  The makers of Rotarix hit some recent snags, but the FDA approved changes in May and have deemed the vaccine safe.

 Streptococcus Pneumoniae- This is a very serious infection that can lead to meningitis and deafness.  In 2000, a vaccine called Prevnar was introduced which decreased the infection  by 80% in children under the age of 5.  Just recently, Prevnar 13 was released and is aimed at protecting children under the age of 2.  

 H1N1- Also referred to as the “swine flu”.  H1N1 was identified in April 2009 and has proved to be deadly.  It’s estimated 1,300 children and adolescents have died because of this flu.  Experts recommend everyone older than 6 months should be vaccinated.   

 Neisseria Meningitidis- This germ is rarer than others on the list but extremely dangerous and is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis. It has the capacity to strike fast before doctors can act.  These bacteria can live in a child’s mouth and nose.  People who live in confined spaces can pass this on to one another. 

 MRSA-Clinically known as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA has resulted in 30,000 children being hospitalized in the last decade…and seems to be on the rise.  The bacteria often spread among kids playing contact sports. 

 Pertussis- Also known as whooping cough.  In infants, pertussis can be life-threatening.  A vaccine known as DTaP has long been effective but over the last 30 years cases are increasing. 

 RSV-Respiratory Syncytial Virus can be mistaken for the common cold.  75,000 to 125,000 infants are hospitalized every year because of RSV.  Currently no RSV vaccine exists, high-risk infants are being administered an antibody shot for preventive measures.

Keeping a watchful eye on your child and noting any distinct changes in his/her health is an essential step in protection. Regular check-ups and maintaining all of your child’s immunizations are vital to their health and safety. Your Clearwater St. Petersburg Florida Child Injury Lawyer, working to make safety every child’s reality.

The “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” opened today at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, in Orlando. 

 Universal invested $200 million dollars into this project and attendance is expected to swell dramatically past the 12,700 guests that Islands of Adventure attracts daily.  In fact, the park opened their parking garage at 5:30am, three and a half hours before the theme park opens. 

 Taking this all into consideration, what are some of the precautions parents should take to ensure your child’s safety?  Here are 5 quick tips:

 Keep children away from areas that are not for public access

       Make sure your children never enter a restricted area in a theme park

 Understand the limits and restrictions placed on certain park rides

       Read an attraction’s boarding restrictions before you let your child get in line

 Keep children safely seated on all amusement park rides

       Stay in your seat; keep your hands on the grab bar & your feet and knees inside

 Alert staff if a  problem arises

       Keep a watchful eye out if you see something wrong; don’t be afraid to alert staff

 Stay cool and avoid prolonged sun exposure

       Be mindful of sunburn, rashes, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Keep yourself and  your children hydrated!  And don’t forget your sun block.

 Understand the factors that place kids at risk at amusement parks such as Universal Studios and other Florida theme parks and keep your children safe. Many people wrongly believe that theme parks, such as Universal Studios, will pay for any injury that takes place on its premises. The park has a duty to provide for a reasonably safe environment and to inspect and maintain its theme park. When a child is hurt while on a ride or is injured while visiting the theme park, it does not necessary mean there is civil liability for the injury.

This past week the U.S. Product Safety Commission together with McDonald’s announced a voluntary recall of 12 million “Shrek Forever After 3D” drinking glasses. 

 The reason behind the recall is that the designs on the glasses contain cadmium.  Long exposure to cadmium can cause adverse health effects.  There are also environmental concerns related to cadmium. 

 These glasses were sold exclusively at McDonald’s restaurants throughout the United States for the last two years.  McDonald’s is asking consumers to stop using the glasses immediately.  Visit http://www.mcdonalds.comfor additional instructions on how to obtain a full refund or call toll free at (800) 244-6227.

 The Dodson Law Firm has a long history of successfully representing those who have been hurt in accidents or injured due to the carelessness of another person.

 If you or a loved one has been injured, you have questions concerning your legal rights. Call our toll free number at (888) 340-0840 to get answers or to schedule a free case review today with Jim Dodson.

Parents have been advised to stop using 4 children’s cough and cold medications manufactured by Johnson & Johnson in a recent recall of Pediacare medicines.

Read the complete news article and get details on our Clearwater Florida Child Injury Lawyer consumer news website, click here.

Thank you for choosing our website as your resource for legal, health and safety information for your family.

Over 200,000 drop side cribs made by LaJobi, Inc have been voluntarily recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

 The hazard is found in the drop side hardware.  It can break or fall and create a wedge in which an infant or toddler can become entrapped.  There have been 99 reports of drop side malfunctions.  A total of 8 children have been affected, either becoming trapped in the wedge and suffocating or being strangled, or falling from the crib.  There has been one report of a concussion.  Consumers should stop using these recalled products immediately. 

 For more information on this recall, please visit the U.S. Production Safety Commission website. 

 As a Florida Child Injury Attorney, we understand the emotions involved when a child is injured or hurt.  If your child has suffered an injury due to the negligence of another person, call our toll free number (888) 340-0840 for a free case review.  There is never any obligation to hire a lawyer.

Read our No Fee Promise.