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Child Safety Friday: Pool Safety

Though fall has technically arrived here in Southern California, we have not been feeling it weather wise! With temperatures reaching the mid 90’s in some parts of Orange County, we decided that this week’s child safety topic should be on pool safety. Here, our personal injury lawyer put together some helpful tools when taking our kids out to the pool on those warmer days. No running while around the pool – this helps to prevent any slips or falls into the pool or around the pool Keep toys away from the pool when the pool is not in use Make sure there is an adult supervising at all times when children are present No diving if the pool is not deep enough Do not run on the diving board No electrical appliances near the pool Don’t chew gum or eat candy while swimming Make sure that you have a fence around the pool area and that the fence is latched at all times Make sure the the fence is climb resistant The fence should be at least 4 feet high and have no footholds or handholds that can make it easy for children to climb Fences should not have more than 4 inches in between the vertical slats. Chain linked fences are very easy to climb and are not recommended Make sure that the gate is well maintained and is self-closing and latches behind. the latches should be higher than a child can reach. For above ground pools, always keep children away from the steps or ladders. When the pool is not in use, lock or remove any ladders so as to prevent access to children. It may be a good idea to put door alarms to house or window guards to make sure that children are not rushing to the pool area unsupervised. Automatic pool covers should be used when the pool is not in use Check how deep the water is. Swim at a depth that is comfortable for the children Don’t push or jump on others – children can accidentally hurt themselves or others Make sure that children, especially those who are new to swimming and still learning, enter the pool feet first and in the shallowest part of the pool Never dive into inner tubes or other pool toys, there could be other children around that you do not see While some swim programs claim to teach water survival skills to young children, studies do not show that they are effective in preventing drowning. When learning to dive, it is necessary to learn to dive safely into the pool as serious spinal cord injuries can occur if not done properly.

Motorcycle Accident Do's and Don'ts - Silverthorne Attorneys

Though most bikers don’t head out onto the open roads expecting to get into an accident, it is always smart to be prepared. So our accident lawyer put together some “do’s” and don’ts.” Just in case you happen to find yourself getting into an accident. The first thing you want to do is check for any injuries. Make sure you are able to move and if there are other party’s involved, make sure everyone is safe. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. If possible, move out of the way of other vehicles on the road – this is so there isn’t a back-up of traffic but also to prevent any other accidents. Used hazard lights, flares, or any other kind of warnings to alert traffic. Exchange information with any other party’s involved. Get any names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance information, etc. from all party’s. Also make sure to note any plate numbers, car make and model. If anyone is seriously injured, call the police. Filing a police report at the scene will be vital in the efforts to recover any damages to your bike, clothing, or even injuries sustained. Try to remember specifics of the accident. This may be difficult to do right after an accident, but if you can, try to recall when, where, how, etc. Since memories fade, especially during times of stress, gather as much information as you can immediately following the crash. Don’t admit fault. This is very important! Most of the time, it is unclear what the cause of the accident was. That is why it is crucial to contact the police – after the police have gathered the statements of all party’s involved – that is when “fault” can be determined. Each step can be difficult to remember after an accident, especially if you have been injured – just remember that the most important thing is to make sure you are okay and to seek medical attention if you need.

Listeria Risk: Brands of Ice Cream Recalled

The Lake Forest Patch is reporting that there is a nationwide recall on several brands of ice cream due to a Listeria contamination. “Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women, according to health experts.”

The Importance of the Turn Signal

Almost every morning as I am driving to work, I am cut off by at least three or four people – people who aren’t using their blinker to signal, “hey, I need to get over, make some room.” I, myself was born and raised in Northern California and I have to be honest, we rarely ever use our turn signals. It wasn’t until after I moved down to Southern California three years ago, and experienced what life was like on the freeways here, that I have a newfound respect for anyone and everyone who uses their blinker. I use my blinker to turn into my driveway now – every time – whether there is someone behind me, coming towards me, etc.

When to Hire a Wrongful Death Attorney - Silverthorne Attorneys

After losing a loved one, the last thing on anyone’s mind is whether or not to hire a wrongful death attorney. the unexpected loss of a loved one can be a damaging and horrifying experience. However, if your loved one’s death was due to the result of a third party’s recklessness, you deserve to be compensated. Being left with unpaid medical bills, funeral costs, etc. should not be a burden you should bear. Here are some situations where people have hired an accident attorney to represent them:

Dealing with Defective Smoke Alarms

I think we have all been woken up a time or two from the loud, obnoxious chirping sounds of our smoke alarms. Whether it’s telling us we need to change its battery, or someone burned something in the oven, I’m sure it has happened to us all. and as long as we have been going over the steps to filing a burn claim, I wanted to discuss defective smoke alarms and how you may have a claim should your smoke alarm be defective.

Jaws of Life Used to Save Driver

The Orange County Fire Authority was called out to a dramatic crash scene on the Ortega Highway. Late Sunday evening, a truck was found overturned on the side of the highway. Our car crash attorney says that the reason for the accident is still under investigation. According to news outlets, “OCFA Heavy Rescue attended to the victim, and by 11:45pm, was on their way to an area hospital.” It is still unknown what caused the accident, or who the driver of the truck was. This is a developing story and we will continue to keep you updated on the status of the driver as soon as it has been reported.

One Injured in Mission Viejo House - Silverthorne Attorneys

In the wake of our injury lawyer article last week on burn victims and filing a claim, we have learned that there was a structure fire Sunday afternoon in Mission Viejo. The fire led to one firefighter being inured while trying to put the blaze out. According to a news report, the firefighters were able to put the fire out quickly and the cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to OCFA Captain Larry Kurtz.

Teen Struck by Two Drivers in Orange County - Silverthorne Attorneys

A teenage boy was rushed to a nearby hospital when he was hit and struck by two vehicles early Saturday morning. According to ABC7 News, the 17-year-old was crossing the street diagonally at the Home Depot driveway and MacArthur Boulevard when he was struck by the first car. Moments later, the young man, who has yet to be identified, was struck by another car. the driver of the second car fled the scene after impact. If you are suffering from injuries due to an accident, contact a car accident lawyer today!

How to Avoid Distractions this Holiday Season

That time of the year is finally sneaking up on us! the time where roads get a little sleeker, the pumpkin spice latte’s are out in full force, and holiday shopping means more stress and last minute trips. Which means that people are more and more distracted on the roads this time of year. So our personal injury lawyer put together some Holiday Driving Safety Tips to help you get through this upcoming season.