Memorial Day Opens the Summer Season: Let’s Be Careful Out There
By Dean I. Weitzman, Esq. on May 22nd, 2015
The Memorial Day holiday weekend is symbolically the official start of the summer season as Americans take time to honor our nation’s heroes of wars past and take time to relax with family and friends.
We here at MyPhillyLawyer wish you a wonderful weekend, but we also want to remind you to be careful as you travel and enjoy your time off.
One of the first things to remember is not to drink and drive as holiday weekends like this usually see a spike in drunk driving accidents, injuries and deaths. In 2013, the most recent year for which statistics are available 10,076 people were killed and approximately 290,000 were injured in crashes caused by drunk drivers, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
MADD offers five tips for safe driving over the holiday weekend and year-round:
- Plan a safe way home. Arrange a sober ride home, or offer to be the sober designated driver.
- Wear a seat belt. Seat belt usage is one of the best ways to stay safe on our roadways.
- Don’t call or text. Any form of impaired driving poses a serious threat to those on the road.
- Slow down. Respect all posted speed limits.
- Be aware. Pay attention to other drivers on the road and avoid those driving erratically.
The highest number of drunk driving accidents and injuries actually occurs in the U.S. over the July 4th holiday weekend annually, according to statistics.
Consuming alcoholic beverages and then driving over the holiday is a poor decision. You are literally putting yourself and others in danger if you drive while intoxicated and creating huge liability risks for yourself and your family if you hurt someone else when you are drinking and driving.
But drinking and driving and other highway dangers aren’t the only risks this holiday weekend. There are dangers and personal liability issues surrounding a wide variety of activities this weekend that you at least should keep in mind.
Cookout safety:
Even barbecue grills can cause injuries if they are used improperly or mixed with the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Improper equipment, poor safety rules, carelessness and other factors can cause injuries to adults and children who come near hot grills and outdoor cooking areas.
To prevent injuries and potential legal liability, be sure:
*If you’re using a propane gas grill, inspect your propane tank and hoses for leaks, dents, cracks or corrosion.
*Always light the match before turning on the propane gas.
*Never use your grill indoors or under any structures that may catch fire, such as patio covers.
*Never smoke cigarettes or use matches or lighters near the grill.
*If you’re using a charcoal grill, use water to make sure that coals are extinguished and be careful never to dispose of briquettes that are still hot.
*Avoid loose clothing while grilling, especially long sleeves.
*Parental supervision is essential—keep all children away from the grill.
And don’t forget about the potential dangers of food poisoning when dining outdoors in the heat of summer. Be extra careful to make sure that foods made with mayonnaise, including coleslaw and potato salad, are kept chilled and out of direct sunlight so they don’t spoil and cause illnesses to guests, and don’t leave uncooked meats out in the summer heat for long periods of time before that are cooked. Many a holiday has been ruined at private parties, restaurants and other facilities due to food that has spoiled and caused serious illnesses for guests, while raising serious legal claims that you certainly want to avoid.
Swimming pool safety:
Here are five key swimming pool safety tips for you to remember this holiday weekend:
*Completely Fence The Perimeter Around Your Pool – by closing off the pool to children who could wander into your yard, you can prevent accidental drownings and protect yourself from liability.
*Be Sure That All Young Children Playing Near Pools Are Wearing Life Vests – if a child should accidentally fall into a pool, they will be better protected by wearing an approved life vest.
*Never, Ever Leave Children Unsupervised Near A Pool – that means NEVER. If children are to be around or in a pool, they MUST be properly and adequately supervised by an adult who can swim and is trained in rescue techniques.
*Keep Rescue Equipment By The Pool At All Times – including a life ring and rope, a first aid kit and flotation devices.
*Parents Must Be Encouraged to Learn CPR – by knowing how to save a life in the event of an emergency, homeowners can protect their guests and themselves before rescue workers ever arrive.
According to statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drownings are the second leading cause of death among young children.
An average of 385 children under 15 years of age died annually in the U.S. due to pool or spa drownings from 2005 through 2007, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and its Pool Safely safety campaign. Of those, 78%, or 299, were under the age of five.
As a homeowner, you must be vigilant, pro-active and firm about setting safety rules and enforcing them so that guests and family members aren’t accidentally injured or worse.
Have Fun and Be Safe:
Remember this holiday weekend to enjoy yourself with friends and family, but also use caution to prevent tragedies and legal liability from accidents and injuries that can occur in a wide variety of ways.
From all of us here at MyPhillyLawyer, we send you our best wishes for a safe and happy holiday.
We here at MyPhillyLawyer stand ready to assist you with your legal case if you or a loved one is ever seriously injured in a vehicle crash, medical malpractice incident, birth injury or other legal situation anywhere in the United States. We represent the families of victims who die in such tragedies as well, to ensure that their families receive every penny of damages that they are eligible to receive.
Call MyPhillyLawyer at 215-227-2727 or toll-free at 1-(866) 352-4572 anytime and our experienced, compassionate, aggressive team of attorneys and support staff will be there for you and your family every step of the way as we manage your case through the legal system.
When Winning Matters Most, Call MyPhillyLawyer.