Save A Life By Anchoring And Stabilizing Your TV, Furniture, And Appliances

One child dies every two weeks as a result of an appliance, a piece of furniture, or a TV falling on them. In an effort to prevent tip-over related accidents, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is encouraging parents to anchor and stabilize their furniture, appliances and TVs. When children decide to scale one of these items in search of a remote or game, the consequences are often tragic.

Between 2000 and 2011, 349 people were killed as a result of a TV, appliance, or furniture items overturning. Of that number, 84 percent were kids younger than 9 years old. Forty-five percent of accidents occur in the bedroom. It's believed that as families integrate flat screen televisions into their living rooms, the older, much heavier TV is moved into the bedroom. Often times we place our TVs on items, such as dressers, that aren't meant to hold a television. This is when disaster happens.

Even our ultra thin televisions can weigh as much as 50 to 100 pounds, which is no match for a small child. Kids that are involved in these types of accidents often sustain severe head injuries and other injuries resulting from being trapped or crushed by the item falling on them.

To help prevent tip-over tragedies, CPSC recommends the following safety measures in homes where children live or visit:

• Anchor furniture to the wall or the floor.
• Place TVs on sturdy, low bases, or anchor the furniture and the TV on top the base, and push the TV as far back on the furniture as possible.
• Keep remote controls, toys, and other items that might attract children off of TV stands or furniture.
• Keep TV and/or cable cords out of reach of children.
• Make sure freestanding kitchen ranges and stoves are installed with anti-tip brackets.
• Supervise children in rooms where these safety tips have not been followed.

Stay safe and have a happy New Year from Florida Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Sexton.

More Than Just A Bruised Ego...

It’s happened to all of us. That moment we wish we could erase from our minds. That painfully embarrassing moment you slipped and fell in front of everyone. Maybe it happened when you were in school and that boy or girl you liked saw it. Maybe it happened in front of a co-worker you can’t stand. Maybe it happened at a wedding.

Whenever or wherever it happened, we feel the same two sensations: embarrassment and pain. Often times, the embarrassment is worse than the pain. We just want to stick our head in the sand or wish ourselves away from the situation altogether. We may not even realize how seriously we may have injured ourselves. We don’t want anyone helping us. Some of us would sprint away with a broken leg just to get away from the humiliation.

The truth of the matter is, a bruised ego is far less serious than a broken leg. Human beings are flawed creatures and we trip from time to time; and as the world’s only bipedal creatures it’s understandable. But sometimes, we fall as a result of someone else’s mistake. Often, we are so mortified we fell, we don’t take inventory of why we fell, especially in public. At home, it’s a little less humiliating when we have an accident and we are more inclined to investigate the ‘why’ since we are much more familiar with our current environment.

If you do happen to slip anywhere, take notice of why. Don’t worry about your bruised ego, as it will eventually heal. Take pictures of the place you slipped and/or tripped. A great many times it could be the result of negligence, which could in turn entitle you to damages as well as preventing it from happening to someone else.

So remember, if you trip, slip, or fall, do your ego the favor of gathering information, getting medical attention, and contacting Florida Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Sexton.

Steps To Take After A Car Accident

There are no two automobile accidents alike in the State of Florida. Each particular case is comprised of its own set of unique injuries, damages, and losses. Most accidents are caused unintentionally from such distractions as cell phone use, GPS, stereo, or by other unsafe acts such as eating, looking at a map or simply not paying attention.

In other cases, factors include high speed and reckless driving, driving without a license, driving under the influence, or driving while intoxicated. These are not only negligent, but criminal.

Whenever you are in an automobile accident, it’s imperative that you notify the police and seek legal counsel immediately. Many times an accident can seem to be a run-of-the-mill fender bender. Days later, injuries can make themselves known -- and prove to be costly. Make sure no matter how small it is to alert authorities. A small fender bender may expose that the operator of the vehicle was in fact impaired, uninsured, or any one of the previous acts of negligence in the aforementioned paragraph. If that is the case, you may be entitled to an award for the damages incurred as a result of negligence.

Often times, it is just a simple fender bender and the two parties can swap information and go on their way, but better safe than sorry. If you are in an accident small or large, remember:

1. Alert the authorities.

2. Get the other drivers info.

3. Take a picture of their car and yours.

4. Retain legal counsel.

Contact Florida Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Sexton if you have been involved in a car accident.

Exercise Pool Safety Year Round

During the spring and summer months, and even into fall, Floridians have the luxury of swimming. When fall ends and winter begins, we tend to not give much thought to our swimming pools. Even though the swimming season is over, our vigilance for pool safety should be year round.

To ensure year round safety, make sure the following measures are taken to avoid accidents.

• Even though the pool isn’t in use, make sure there is ample lighting in the pool and around the area. If your pool is not equipped with a light, be sure to illuminate the perimeter of the pool with outdoor lights from your neighborhood home improvement store. Seeing the pool helps avoid falling into it and both animals and humans will benefit from this.
• Be sure to lock the gate. If your pool has a fence make sure there is a working lock on it. If you use a pool maintenance service, give them a copy of the key to gain access as needed. Curiosity about swimming pools is year-round for small kids, and some pets, so lock it up.
•  Get a motion sensor. If you have kids, pets, or both, think about investing in a motion sensor. For a relatively limited cost, you can have peace of mind. Anytime something or someone breaches the pool area, an alarm will notify you. Various sensitivity levels are available.

We want you to keep your family and visitors safe during the coming months by taking some of these preventive measures. However, if you or a loved one has been injured due to a pool area's negligent upkeep, contact Florida Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Sexton.

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is fast approaching. Kids and adults are picking out their costumes. But as exciting as this holiday can be for all, it is important to practice safety to avoid hazards.

If you live in a residential area and are expecting trick-or-treaters this year, practicing these preventative measures will ensure a happy and safe Halloween for visitors to your home.

• Make sure your property is well lit.

It is important that pedestrians have a clear and visible path from the sidewalk to your doorstep. Most will be wearing costumes and have compromised vision already, so make it as easy and safe as possible for them. Be sure to have ample lighting and avoid having any flames near the walking path.

• Put pets away.

Like the Fourth of July, Halloween is a dog's least favorite holiday. Instead of fireworks, it's an endless barrage of doorbell ringing... which is pure torture for any dog. Find a safe place for your pooch to hang out and get the ol' pup a rawhide to pass the time. Safety is also an issue. Many dogs don't reciprocate well to costumes, so keep that in mind as well. While you may know it's Darth Vader wanting a snickers bar, man's best friend may think the tike is a home intruder.

• Know what you're handing out.

If you're handing out candy, before you do -- check it. You remember being taught about stranger-danger, and Halloween candy scares as a kid? It still rings true today and perhaps more than ever. Buying candy that is individually wrapped is the best way to go. Before you hand it out, peruse it and discard any candy that is open, melted, or any that has a compromised wrapper. Avoid handing out baked goods, confections, etc. Should a child become sick or worse, you could be held liable. Parents are advised not to accept any home made goods and they should be thrown away.

In addition to these few safety tips, attaching reflective tape to costumes makes you more visible to vehicles if you plan on trick-or-treating at night. Also, stay in groups for added safety and carry a flashlight. Never walk through parks and never take unknown and unilluminated routes home.

We hope you have a safe and Happy Halloween from The Law Office of Florida Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Sexton!

The Greatest Risk Of Returning To School Is Approaching And Leaving The Bus

As summer comes to an end, you will notice a significant increase in traffic as children return to school. The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports "For twenty-three million students nationwide, the school day begins and ends with a trip on a school bus. The greatest risk is not riding the bus, but approaching or leaving the bus."

With increased traffic there needs to come increased awareness from all who share the road.


Safety Tips For Students

- When waiting for the bus, wait in the designated area only. Make sure to stay clear away from the street so the bus has plenty of room. Mirrors and other parts may surpass the dimensions of the vehicle and can easily strike a bystander.

- When entering and exiting the bus, ALWAYS cross in FRONT of the driver. All buses are equipped with rear stop sign to impede traffic behind from passing. With that being said, look both ways.

- Never hang out of a window or throw anything from it. The smallest object could cause a catastrophic accident on the road.

Safety Tips For Motorists

- Whether you have children or not, familiarize yourself with school zone rules. Always obey the reduced speed signs. Many states enforce school zone laws even when school isn’t in session.

- Never pass a bus that is stopped and letting children on/off. All school buses are equipped with a stop sign on the rear and it is to be obeyed as any permanently fixed sign.

Make sure to always buckle up and obey traffic laws. Be aware of the time. If it is morning or afternoon there is a good chance students are in the area.

Astronaut Loses Life In Jet Ski Accident

Sadly, retired NASA astronaut Captain Alan Poindexter was killed after a jet ski operated by his son, Zachary, collided with the jet ski Capt. Poindexter was riding. Reports stated that both of the jet skis were in motion when the astronaut suddenly stopped. His son did not see him and the jet skis collided, striking the Captain.

Regrettably, this type of accident is not uncommon. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stated in a 2011 report that personal water crafts were involved in 22% of reported boating accidents. Of those accidents, 7 fatalities were reported.

It's important to follow safety rules and regulations when operating one of these vessels.

Water Ski Regulations from The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:

• The operator of a vessel towing someone on skis or another aquaplaning device must either have an observer, in addition to the operator, on board who is attendant to the actions of the skier or have and use a wide-angle rear-view mirror.
• No one may ski or aquaplane between the hours of 1/2 hour past sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise.
• No one may water ski or use another aquaplaning device unless they are wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved non-inflatable Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device (PFD). Inflatable personal flotation devices are prohibited for skiing/aquaplaning.
• No one may ski or use another aquaplaning device while impaired by alcohol or other drugs.
• The operator of a vessel towing a skier may not pull the skier close enough to a fixed object or another vessel that there is risk of collision.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, or if a loved one has been killed, contact Florida Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey B. Sexton any time, day or night.