5 Safety Tips For Florida Families While School is Out
As experienced personal injury lawyers here in Florida’s Tampa Bay area, over the past 100 years, we have seen just about everything. From dog bites to pool injuries, accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. Our dedicated trial lawyers fight hard to protect the rights of the injured. The best plan is to not get hurt in the first place. Here are some tips to protect yourself and your family.
#1 Pool Fencing
If you own a pool, you have a duty to keep it safe. Pools are considered an “attractive nuisance,” which is a legal term that basically means they attract children who may not be old enough to appreciate the danger. You need to install proper fencing or other protective measures to keep small children from wandering in and drowning. There were 415 drowning deaths in Florida in 2017.
#2 Bicycle Safety
Children love to ride bicycles, especially on hot summer days. Make sure you always require that children wear protective gear, such as a helmet, and reflective, bright clothing. Never let children ride alone (they should stay in groups or at least pairs), and when possible, use sidewalks and stay off busy streets. Year after year, Florida is ranked the deadliest place to ride a bike in the country.
#3 Stay Hydrated
Florida weather can be hot. Over 300 people die each year while working in Florida’s hot summer temperatures, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But adults and workers aren’t the only ones affected. Children often play so hard they forget to drink water and take breaks. Be the grown up and make them take shade and water breaks.
#4 Don’t Ride in Pickup Beds
We all did it as kids, and when we see it we probably get a little nostalgic. What can be more American than a bunch of kids sitting in the back of a pickup truck, driving down the road on a hot summer day? Well, as much fun as it may be, it’s not safe. You are taking a real risk. No matter how good you drive, if someone hits your truck, it can eject these tiny passengers, leading to catastrophic injuries and fatalities.
#5 Underage Drinking – Just Don’t
Many parents feel like they are being cool or ‘relating’ to their children by letting them drink alcohol. Sadly, young children and teens do not have the judgment necessary to handle the responsibility that comes with drinking alcohol. In fact, many adults don’t either. Be a parent, not a friend. Teach your children to respect the responsibility that comes with alcohol consumption by setting a good example. Heavy alcohol consumption by teens is a leading cause of accident fatalities.
Trust Roman & Roman, P.A. to Help With Your Injury Claim
If you’ve been seriously injured through no fault of your own, trust our team of experienced Clearwater trial lawyers at Roman & Roman, P.A. to fight for the compensation that you and your family deserve. We hope you never need us, but if you do, the call is free and we collect nothing unless we are able to win compensation for you.
Resources:
flhealthcharts.com/charts/DataViewer/DeathViewer/DeathViewer.aspx?indNumber=0105
bls.gov/regions/southeast/news-release/2018/pdf/fatalworkinjuries_florida_20180222.pdf
.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/accidents/yet-another-study-names-florida-the-most-deadly-place-to-be-a-cyclist/2335019
