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LAWNEWS Quarter 2 2019
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Summer Is for Fun but Not Without Caution
Staying Safe During the Summer Months
Summer is the season to break away from routine. It’s a time to trade in the dreary walls of your office workspace for the clear blue skies and green grass of the park, the woods and streams of the countryside, or the golden sand and crashing surf of the beach. The kids are out of school until September, and the summer bursts at the seams with possibilities for outdoor fun and activities. While this is a great time of year, you should still be mindful of the risks associated with everyone changing their routines. With more children playing near the streets, more teens out driving during the day and late at night, people attending parties and picnics, and countless other safety risks, it pays to be extra careful to avoid a catastrophe. The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as “The 100 Deadliest Days of Summer.”The latest data shows a 14% increase in deaths from motor vehicle accidents involving teen drivers when compared to the rest of the year. Many teens are still getting used to the rules of the road, or they’re still in driver’s education classes. Families are driving to and from vacations, and people are traveling to the beach and home from parties. Even if you don’t fall into these categories, no one is a perfect driver. You can always benefit from being more mindful on the road. If you have a new or old driver in your household, remind them of these concerns before they get behind the wheel. Other drivers are not the only reason for caution, though. Children may absentmindedly run across roads, families take more bike rides, and dog owners walk their four legged friends — not always on their leashes and not always on the side of the roadway. Pay attention to signs that indicate children are at play in the neighborhood, and always watch the sidewalks and crosswalks for pedestrians. “WITHMORECHILDRENOUTNEARTHESTREETS,MORE TEENS OUT DRIVING DURINGTHE DAY AND LATE AT NIGHT,ANDCOUNTLESSOTHERSAFETYRISKS,ITPAYS TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL TO AVOID A DISASTER.”
You should also watch out for the safety of your passengers. Make sure everyone wears their seatbelt at all times. If you have small children on board, make sure they’re properly secured in their car seats, and make sure they’re with you when you leave the car. The internal temperature of a car can increase 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. And Jack says the same applies to your pets! NEVER leave your children or pets unattended in a hot car, not even for a few minutes. At the park or beach, make sure your family’s properly protected from the elements. During the day, make sure to apply sunscreen, and in the evening, spray down with insect repellent. Drink plenty of water, and make sure everyone is playing close by or swimming with a buddy where a lifeguard can see them. If they’ve been playing in the long grass, check for bug bites and ticks. Summer is for outdoor fun but not without caution. We at the Law Offices of Paul Levin wish you well on your vacations and all your outings in the sun. We wish you family time enjoyment and safe travels. We hope you won’t need a personal injury lawyer this summer, but if you do, give our office a call. We are always available to help you, your family members, and friends in any legal matter. Happy summer to all! –Paul, Kelly, and Larry
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Hiking With Your Kids
Hiking has many benefits as a family activity, such as mental health improvement, strengthening your relationships, and experiencing new sights and discoveries together. It’s also great exercise, and you get plenty of quality time, fresh air, and sunshine. Here are three guidelines to help you and your kids have fun on your next hike. Encourage Their Curiosity One of the best ways to have your children learn about the world is letting them explore it. Being there for your children and encouraging them to ask questions about flowers, bugs, or animals you see on the trail will help them expand their vocabulary and learn how things work. When they learn they can explore independently and ask about the world around them, they’re gaining the confidence to teach themselves. Bring Along Some Tools of Discovery Getting your children to engage in nature while you’re out hiking can be as simple as bringing a magnifying glass along with you. Let your kids look at leaves, rocks, insects, or anything else you might come across on the trail. You can also bring binoculars to help them look at a bird that might be perched a little too high up. Another option is a You wouldn’t think that car accidents could be humorous in hindsight, but they can in these cases. For all the auto accidents people find themselves in, we’re thankful for the cases where the drivers and passengers can walk away with minimal or no injuries. And out of those cases, it’s an added bonus when the stories behind the accident make us chuckle. Here are a few of the weirdest and funniest auto accidents where everyone came away just fine. The Steering Wheel Heimlich Maneuver Not only was no one injured, but this accident actually saved a truck driver’s life. He was driving his rig through Pennsylvania while eating an apple. Unfortunately, he began choking on a piece of it, passed out, and rammed his truck into a concrete barrier. Fortunately, the crash knocked his chest against the steering wheel, dislodging the apple. He was treated quickly in the hospital and credits the crash for keeping him from choking to death. Does This Mean My License Won’t Get Renewed? This might be the most ironic auto accident ever. A driver was pulling into the parking lot of the local department of licensing. As he parked, his foot slipped off the brake and onto the gas, sending his car careening over the curb and through the front doors of the DOL. He
bug holder to let your kids catch smaller insects, such as grasshoppers or pill bugs, and give them a close-up look.
Keep Safety in Mind While you’re out on the trail, it’s essential to make sure that both you and your family are safe. Wear breathable, noncotton material and sturdy shoes that don’t expose your toes. It’s important to dress according to the weather. For example, if the day is sunny, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and apply plenty of sunscreen on any exposed skin. Bring your kids’ favorite snacks and water bottles for everyone to stay hydrated. It’s crucial that you also bring a fully stocked first-aid kit in case someone is injured on the hike. Starting with one of your local hiking trails can be a rewarding way to spend the day with your kids. You can watch their excitement as they expand their world with new discoveries.
THESE CRASHES ACTUALLY HAPPENED 3 Strange and Funny Auto Accidents
was there to renew his license, and bringing his whole car inside probably didn’t help his case. Grounded for Life Even if you’ve thought about stealing a car for a joyride, very few people act on this impulse. But this 13-year-old boy from New Jersey did just that. After stealing a 2012 Toyota Camry, he saw
his mother driving in the opposite lane. The teen panicked and drove into a tree on the side of the road. He broke his nose and injured his hip but was otherwise fine. Of course, there’s a good chance he was grounded long after the injuries healed. Here at the Law Offices of Paul Levin, we are here to help you through the aftermath of your accident no matter the circumstances. Contact us today.
Attorneys Paul Levin & Kelly Kasheta
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Don’t Play With These Toys!
3OFTHEMOSTDANGEROUSCHILDREN’STOYSOFALLTIME
Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab This is an old example, but it’s absurd by today’s standards, so we can’t go without mentioning it. Marketed as an educational toy for children interested in chemistry, this 1950s toy laboratory kit contained four actual uranium ore samples. Even though this was
There are plenty of toys on the market that can entertain your kids and even help them develop mentally, emotionally, and socially. Unfortunately, some toys can have dangerous, or even fatal, elements in their design that can harm children during the most vulnerable stages of their lives. Despite increasingly thorough regulations, dangerous children’s toys still sometimes slip through the cracks. Here are a few of the most infamous examples. Magnetix Magnets can be fun for children interested in science but only beyond a certain age. Magnetix were released in the mid-2000s, and 4 million kits were recalled a few years later. One child died and 28 others were seriously injured after swallowing the tiny magnetic pieces. This happened because magnets don’t pass through the digestive system like other objects. They bunch together and block intestinal movement, causing serious injuries when swallowed. Snacktime Cabbage Patch Doll This doll was the hot-ticket item of its time, and it would use its mechanical jaws to eat the plastic fries and carrots that were fed to it. Unfortunately, there was no off switch and no mechanism to differentiate between the doll’s plastic snacks and the fingers and hair of small children. After several injuries, Mattel offered a $40 refund to each of the 500,000 owners of this dangerous little doll.
six decades ago, during a time when children were regularly exposed to lead and asbestos, it’s a mystery how this toy made it to store shelves.
If you purchase a toy for your child that ends up being defective or harming them, The Law Offices of Paul Levin can help you get the compensation you deserve. Give our offices a call today.
Jack?
Beef Ribs GRILLED
Where’s
Nothing feels more paleo-appropriate than digging into a giant rack of beef ribs. This largely hands-off recipe requires plenty of hands-on eating, making you feel like one of our cave-dwelling ancestors.
Jack and Kelly are a certified therapy dog and handler team with Healers With Halos Therapy Dogs. Jack is a 7-year-old rescue collie adopted from Collie Rescue of the Carolinas. He is certified by the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program and attained his CGC title from the American Kennel Club. Jack works many venues, bringing comfort and happiness
Ingredients
• 1 5-lb. rack of beef ribs • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
to the young and old alike.
1. Heat a charcoal, wood-burning, or gas grill to medium-high. Once heated, move heat source to one side or turn off half of the burners to create an indirect heat zone. 2. Season ribs with salt and pepper and char on the hotter side of the grill, turning occasionally, for 12–15 minutes. Once charred, transfer to the other side of grill and cook until the thickest part of the rib reaches 130 F, about 2 1/2–3 hours. 3. Let meat rest for 15 minutes. If desired, serve alongside grilled veggies.
JACK AND KELLY AT HIGH HOPES THERAPEUTIC RIDING FACILITY FOR HORSE SHOW DAYS.
Attorneys Paul Levin & Kelly Kasheta
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40 Russ Street | Hartford, CT 06106 860-560-7226 www.connecticutinjuryhelp.com Inside THISISSUE • Safety Tips for Summer • HikingWithYour Kids • 3 Strange and Funny Auto Accidents • Dangerous Children’s Toys • Grilled Beef Ribs • 3ThingsEveryoneNeedstoKnow Before Swimming inOpenWater
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ANewsletter for Clients and Friends FromAttorneys Paul Levin, Kelly Kasheta, and Larry Brick
3 TIPS FOR SWIMMING IN OPEN WATER Summer Swimming Safety
There’s nothing like taking a dip in a nearby pond, lake, or even the ocean. For many, it’s a summertime tradition. However, swimming in open bodies of water brings certain safety risks, as these environments are not nearly as controlled as public, club, or backyard pools. Everyone should follow these tips to have a fun and safe time cooling off under the summer sun. Never swim alone. When you swim in virtually any body of water, having someone there to keep an eye on you can be a lifesaver: the more people, the better. Stick to bodies of water with a professional lifeguard on duty when possible, though that’s not always an option. When swimming in open bodies of water, have a “designated spotter” to keep an eye on the swimmers. This way, you’re prepared if anything bad happens. It’s also a great idea to keep flotation devices nearby, such as life jackets, life rings, foam boards, etc. Know what you’re getting into. Sometimes, it’s next to impossible to see what’s under the surface of the water. If you are unfamiliar with a body of water, don’t jump or dive in without knowing how deep it is. If you cannot confirm what is under the surface (and the spot is not a known diving location), don’t risk it. It may be okay to swim or wade, but jumping is out of the question. Along these same lines, be VERY
careful around bodies of slow-moving or standing water. These can house dangerous microbes and other contaminants that can make you ill and potentially be deadly. Watch for rip currents. These can occur at any beach without warning. They pull swimmers away from shore and are strong enough that even excellent swimmers struggle to get through them. In fact, rip currents are behind nearly 80% of beach rescues. Keep an eye on the foam at the surface of the water. If it seems to suddenly pull away from the beach, there’s a good chance a rip current is lurking beneath. If you find yourself in a rip current, it’s crucial to remain calm and avoid expending energy swimming directly back to shore. Instead, try swimming parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current.
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