2011 June Archive

In Oklahoma, fireworks are legal, except within most of the major metropolitan areas. If you and your family choose to set off fireworks this Fourth of July, it is important to observe the following safety tips set out by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC):

• Be sure other people are out of the way when lighting fireworks. When observing, do not stand too close to fireworks. Never point or throw fireworks at other people.
• Do not experiment with homemade fireworks or try to combine fireworks.
• Do not stand directly over fireworks when lighting them. Always stand to the side and move back immediately after the fuse is lit.
• Enjoy fireworks in a clear area, outdoors, and away from houses, dry grass, or anything else that could be flammable.
• Keep unused devices away from the area where you are igniting fireworks.
• If a firework doesn’t go off, don’t try to re-light it and never pick it up. Douse it with water and throw it away.
• Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby in case of fire or other emergency. Douse all fireworks after you are done to prevent trash fires.
• Never let young children play with or light fireworks. Even sparklers burn at 2,000 degrees and can easily ignite clothing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that approximately 7,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks related injuries in 2008. If you or someone you love has been injured by fireworks due to the negligence of another person, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The experienced Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers at the Maples Law Firm know how to get the best possible outcome for our clients. For a free consultation, call 1-888-226-6159.

A report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 14 in the United States. In 2008 (the most recent year for which statistics are available), that same age group accounted for 4 percent of traffic fatalities and 8 percent of people injured in motor vehicle crashes. That means that everyday in 2008, there was an average of 4 children killed and 529 injured in vehicle collisions.

While those figures are sobering, using an appropriate child safety seat can significantly reduce the risk. Use of a child safety seat reduces fatal injuries in infants younger than 1 year old by 71 percent and 54 percent for children between the ages of 1 and 4 years old.

Choosing the right car seat is important. All children under the age of 12 should ride in the back seat. Infants up to 12 months old should be placed in a rear-facing car seat. Toddlers between 1 and 3 years old should use a front-facing harness seat while 4 to 7 year olds can use a booster seat. Children should not ride without a car seat until they are big enough for the car’s seat belts to fit them properly. A proper fit means the lap belt comes across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt comes over the shoulder and across the chest.

Car accidents in Oklahoma involving children are especially scary. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident that was caused by the negligence of another driver, the experienced Oklahoma City accident lawyers at the Maples Law Firm can help you get the compensation you may be entitled to. Call 1-888-226-6159 to speak to an attorney about your case.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall this week after the tragic death of a three year old from Iowa. The tragedy was caused by a metal futon bunk bed sold by Big Lots. The design of the bunk bed allows children who are in the ladder area or behind the futon to become trapped when the futon is lowered to the flat position. In the case of the Iowa boy, his head and neck became trapped and he was unable to breathe or free himself. Although he was given CPR, the boy died at the hospital from compression asphyxiation. In addition to the hazard that lead to the boy’s death, it has been found that the space between the futon mattress and the last rung on the ladder is too small and children may become trapped there as well.

The recall includes metal futon beds with the model number BFB1008. The model number can be found on a label on the upper bunk support rail. The beds were sold all over the U.S. at Big Lots stores between January 2009 and April 2010. Consumers who have purchased the bed should contact Big Lots immediately for a repair kit that can be installed at home. Consumers can contact Big Lots by phone at (866) 244-5687 or by email at talk2us@biglots.com.

Companies have a responsibility to produce safe products and provide adequate warnings for potential risks. When companies fail to fulfill their obligations to consumers, they may be liable for injuries or deaths that result because of a defect, the failure to warn, or a design flaw. If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, call the Maples Law Firm. An experienced Oklahoma City defective product attorney at our firm can help you get the compensation you may be entitled to. Call today for a free consultation at 1-888-226-6159.

As falls are the leading cause of death for workers in the field of residential construction, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has increased the standard of protection with a new directive. Starting June 16, OSHA will begin phasing in new regulations that will require construction companies to provide residential construction workers with fall protection. Now, any workers doing jobs six feet high or more above the next lowest level must have fall protection, such as warning lines, guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems (safety harnesses that secure the wearer to an anchor point). Construction companies will have three months to adjust to the new regulations before citations will be issued. If after the phase in period the construction company is not in compliance with the new rules, they will be cited. The OSHA website has a variety of resources to help companies and employees understand the new guidelines. Visit http://www.osha.gov and click on Compliance Guidance for Residential Construction.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are required to provide safe and healthy working environments for their employees. If you or a loved one has been involved in a construction accident in Oklahoma because an employer failed to provide adequate safety measures, call the Maples Law Firm. Our Oklahoma City construction accident lawyers can help you determine the right course of action and get you the best possible outcome for your case. Call 1-888-226-6159 for a free consultation.

As the baby boomer generation continues toward retirement age, the number of mature motorists on the road will continue to rise. By 2030 there will be an estimated 30 million older drivers in the U.S.

In response to this trend, on June 7th, AAA Oklahoma offered a free check to see how well cars fit the mature drivers who drove them. AAA representatives used a twelve point checklist to see what changes could be made to make operating the car safer. Some examples of items from the checklist were head rest, mirror and seat belt adjustments. The process took just 15 minutes, all while the driver was seated in his or her vehicle.

There were also occupational therapists on hand to help drivers adapt their cars to meet their individual needs. No driving skills were tested at the event. The goal of the program was to “keep mature motorists driving as safely as possible for as long as possible”, according to AAA. Any licensed driver age 65 or older who owns a registered vehicle was encouraged to come to the event and have their vehicle evaluated.

Safety while driving is of concern to everyone—no one wants to be the cause or the victim of a crash. While drivers and organizations like AAA can take many preventative measures, accidents can still happen due to negligent drivers or vehicle defects. If you or a loved one is involved in an Oklahoma auto accident, call the skilled Oklahoma City auto accident attorneys at the Maples Law Firm. Our attorneys have experience handling insurance companies and know how to get you the compensation you deserve. Call today for a free consultation at 1-888-226-6159.

At the press conference to kick-off their summer campaign “Pool Safely: Simple Steps Save Lives”, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced new statistics relating to drowning and near-drowning accidents. In the first five months of 2011 there have already been 55 drowning and 63 near-drowning incidents throughout 29 U.S. states and territories. What is even more shocking is that in each year from 2006-2008, an estimated average of 383 pool and spa-related drownings among children younger than fifteen took place with 76 percent being children under five years of age. Also alarming are statistics from 2008-2010 which show that in each of those years an average of 5,100 pool or spa submersion injuries for children younger than 15 were treated in emergency rooms. Of those cases, 79 percent were children under the age of five.

At the press conference, CPSC Chairman Inez M. Tenenbaum and U.S. Olympic swimmer Janet Evans spoke, reminding the public of the importance of pool safety. Chairman Tenenbaum stated that “the number of drownings and near-drownings involving children under five [is] still a serious public health issue”. Janet Evans gave advice from a mother’s perspective saying, “As a parent, I know how important it is that I take every precaution to ensure the safety of my children in and around the water—whether it’s providing swimming lessons, installing a pool alarm, or just keeping a close eye on them while they’re in the water—all these steps will help prevent an incident.”

Pool or spa-related injury accidents and drownings are devastating. Pool owners or other responsible parties, such as product manufacturers, may be held liable if you or a loved one has been involved in such an accident. Get in touch with the Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers at the Maples Law Firm by calling 1-888-226-6159 for a free consultation.