The risk of a serious injury or death during hot weather is heightened for children left alone in vehicles, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warned today. New research shows that for children hyperthermia (heat-stroke) is the leading cause of non-crash vehicle deaths.
“Even with the windows rolled down two inches, it only takes 10 minutes for the inside of a vehicle to reach deadly temperatures on a hot summer day,” said Ronald Medford, Acting Deputy Administrator of NHTSA. “Children should never be left alone in or around a motor vehicle, not even for a quick errand. Any number of things can go critically wrong in the blink of an eye.”
Each year, 262 children under the age of 14 are killed and 115,000 are injured in not-in-traffic incidents on private roads, driveways and in parking lots according to a new NHTSA study. Out of that number, 44 fatalities and 105,000 injuries are the result of non-crashes. These incidents include hyperthermia, strangulation by power windows, carbon monoxide poisoning and more.
Many of the remaining deaths and injuries in not-in-traffic incidents are the result of a vehicle backing over a child that the driver did not see. View new research here.
Safety tips from NHTSA to prevent hyperthermia include:
• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.
• Do not let your children play in an unattended vehicle. Teach them that a vehicle is not a play area.
• Never leave infants or children in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are partially open or with the engine running and the air conditioning on.
• Make a habit of looking in the vehicle - front and back - before locking the door and walking away.
• If you are bringing your child to daycare, and normally it's your spouse or partner who brings them, have your spouse or partner call you to make sure everything went according to plan.
• Ask your childcare provider to call you if your child does not show up for childcare. Do things to remind yourself that a child is in the vehicle, such as:
-- Writing yourself a note and putting the note where you will see it when you leave the vehicle;
-- Placing your purse, briefcase or something else you need in the back seat so that you will have to check the back seat when you leave the vehicle; or
-- Keeping an object in the car seat, such as a stuffed toy. When the child is buckled in, place the object where the driver will notice it when he or she is leaving the vehicle.
• Always lock vehicle doors and trunks and keep keys out of children's reach. If a child is missing, check the vehicle first, including the trunk.
• If you see a child alone in a hot vehicle, call the police. If they are in distress due to heat, get them out as quickly as possible. Warning signs may include: red, hot, and moist or dry skin, no sweating, a strong rapid pulse or a slow weak pulse, nausea or acting strangely. Cool the child rapidly. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
www.nhtsa.gov/KeepingKidsSafe
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Kidde Recalls Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms; Can Fail to Warn of a Fire
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Kidde recalled close to 94,000 of the Model PI2000 Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms. An electrostatic discharge can damage the unit, causing it not to warn consumers of a fire.
The firm has received two reported incidents of smoke alarm malfunctions involving electrostatic discharge during installation. No injuries have been reported.
This recall involves Kidde dual sensor smoke alarms model PI2000.
The alarms can be identified by two buttons, “HUSH” and “PUSH AND HOLD TO TEST WEEKLY,” which are located on the front/center of the alarm. The model number and date code are on the back of the smoke alarm. Only date codes 2008 Aug.01 through 2009 May 04 are included in this recall.
Retail, department, and hardware stores and through electrical distributors nationwide from August 2008 through May 2009 for between $30 and $40.
The firm has received two reported incidents of smoke alarm malfunctions involving electrostatic discharge during installation. No injuries have been reported.
This recall involves Kidde dual sensor smoke alarms model PI2000.
The alarms can be identified by two buttons, “HUSH” and “PUSH AND HOLD TO TEST WEEKLY,” which are located on the front/center of the alarm. The model number and date code are on the back of the smoke alarm. Only date codes 2008 Aug.01 through 2009 May 04 are included in this recall.
Retail, department, and hardware stores and through electrical distributors nationwide from August 2008 through May 2009 for between $30 and $40.
Acetaminophen Poisoning: Increasing Cause of Liver Failure
The number of unintentional, severe cases of liver failure related to acetaminophen poisoning is rising, despite a decade of warnings about the risks of taking more than the recommended dose.
"Acetaminophen poisoning has become the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States," reports a recent study in Hepatology, the official journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.
The results of the study have been summarized in a New York Times report and in online news columns.
Acetaminophen is the most commonly used pain-reliever in the US, with 36% of Americans ingesting it at least once each month, according to one . However, taking more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen can lead to fatal liver injury.
Last week, a federal advisory panel recommended banning the popular prescription pain drugs Vicodin and Percocet. The reason: the pills contain the over-the-counter pain reliever acetaminophen, which has been linked to liver damage.
For regular users of acetaminophen, the ingredient in Tylenol and many cold medications, the news was troubling. Should we all toss acetaminophen from our medicine cabinets?
The answer is no. When used as directed, the drug is harmless. But acetaminophen is now in so many products that it is relatively easy to take more than the recommended daily limit, now four grams. In a study, about 50% of liver failure cases related to acetaminophen poisoning were unintentional, while the other half resulted from attempted suicide.
"Acetaminophen poisoning has become the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States," reports a recent study in Hepatology, the official journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.
The results of the study have been summarized in a New York Times report and in online news columns.
Acetaminophen is the most commonly used pain-reliever in the US, with 36% of Americans ingesting it at least once each month, according to one . However, taking more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen can lead to fatal liver injury.
Last week, a federal advisory panel recommended banning the popular prescription pain drugs Vicodin and Percocet. The reason: the pills contain the over-the-counter pain reliever acetaminophen, which has been linked to liver damage.
For regular users of acetaminophen, the ingredient in Tylenol and many cold medications, the news was troubling. Should we all toss acetaminophen from our medicine cabinets?
The answer is no. When used as directed, the drug is harmless. But acetaminophen is now in so many products that it is relatively easy to take more than the recommended daily limit, now four grams. In a study, about 50% of liver failure cases related to acetaminophen poisoning were unintentional, while the other half resulted from attempted suicide.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Child dies after being locked in car at daycare for over 6 hours
A two-year old boy died of hyperthermia after being left alone for 6 1/2 hours in a car outside of a Bucks County day care center, authorities said.
The child had been left in the car by the operator of the center, who took the boy to the facility three times a week since September. However, yesterday she forgot the child was in the back seat while she went inside Fairy Tales Day Care Center. Only returning to her car at 4:45pm to find the toddler unresponsive after being locked in the car with the windows up for over 6 hours.
He was taken into the daycare and 911 was called. An ambulance took him to St. Mary's medical center where he was pronounced dead shortly after. The temperature reached a high of 83 degrees that day.
If you have ever had a similar situation, or know of anyone who had, call Messa & Associates at 215.568.3500 or 877-MESSALAW
The child had been left in the car by the operator of the center, who took the boy to the facility three times a week since September. However, yesterday she forgot the child was in the back seat while she went inside Fairy Tales Day Care Center. Only returning to her car at 4:45pm to find the toddler unresponsive after being locked in the car with the windows up for over 6 hours.
He was taken into the daycare and 911 was called. An ambulance took him to St. Mary's medical center where he was pronounced dead shortly after. The temperature reached a high of 83 degrees that day.
If you have ever had a similar situation, or know of anyone who had, call Messa & Associates at 215.568.3500 or 877-MESSALAW
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Philadelphia doctor under investigation of giving the wrong radiation treatment to dozens of prostate cancer patients
Dr. Gary D. Kao is under investigation of giving the wrong radiation dose to dozens of prostate-cancer patients at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. The U.S. Senate hearing began on June 29, 2009.
Investigations of the brachytherapy program, which is a popular form of radiation therapy, at the Philadelphia hospital found that their team, who performed the procedure, botched 92 of 116 occasions and continued the treatment for a year even though the monitoring equipment was broken. The brachytherapy program at Philadelphia VA, began in 2002, treats prostate cancer without having to resort to major surgery.
Brachytherapy is a popular alternative for patients with early non-aggressive cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate. Physicians permanently implant 80-120 metal seeds the size of rice grains, into the prostate, that release cell-killing radiation over a 10-month period.
Medical Center spokesman Dale Wardan says that the center is giving follow up care to all the veterans who received defective treatment.
If you have ever had radiation therapy treatments at Philadelphia VA Medical Center, and may have a claim, call Messa & Associates at 215.568.3500 or 877-MESSALAW.
Investigations of the brachytherapy program, which is a popular form of radiation therapy, at the Philadelphia hospital found that their team, who performed the procedure, botched 92 of 116 occasions and continued the treatment for a year even though the monitoring equipment was broken. The brachytherapy program at Philadelphia VA, began in 2002, treats prostate cancer without having to resort to major surgery.
Brachytherapy is a popular alternative for patients with early non-aggressive cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate. Physicians permanently implant 80-120 metal seeds the size of rice grains, into the prostate, that release cell-killing radiation over a 10-month period.
Medical Center spokesman Dale Wardan says that the center is giving follow up care to all the veterans who received defective treatment.
If you have ever had radiation therapy treatments at Philadelphia VA Medical Center, and may have a claim, call Messa & Associates at 215.568.3500 or 877-MESSALAW.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Fourth of July Precautions
This weekend our nation with celebrate its independence. Millions of Americans will be attending fairs and parades, hosting barbecues and pool parties, or heading to the seashores and lakeshores. In the midst of our celebration, it's important to remember some safety tips.
Every Fourth of July, thousands of Americans suffer serious injuries due to the use or misuse of unsafe or illegal fireworks. In many states, the use of even the simplest "bottle rocket" is illegal. States such as New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Delaware and Arizona have a ban on all consumer fireworks.
New Jersey, a neighbor to both New York and Delaware, has recently revoked its ban on all fireworks. Maine allows fireworks, but limits them to sparklers. Fun for kids, you may think, but they still have the potential to cause burns. Many people allow children to freely play with sparklers, which can result in anything from a light burn to a severe eye injury.
Other states, like South Dakota, South Carolina, and Tennessee allow most or all legal consumer fireworks to be sold and used throughout the year. Pennsylvania falls somewhere in between. Pennsylvania state law only allows fireworks that don't leave the ground to be sold and used by residents. However, residents from out of state and Pennsylvania residents with a permit can buy any consumer fireworks from an outlet. At the New York and New Jersey borders, police set up sting operations every year to prevent fireworks purchased in Pennsylvania from being transported across the border into New York.
The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission recommends taking the following precautions to prevent injuries and keep your Fourth of July happy and healthy.
· Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
· Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
· Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, as this can often be a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers.
· Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Parents often don’t realize that there are many injuries from sparklers to children under five. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
· Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move back a safe distance immediately after lighting.
· Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned.
· Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
· Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
· Light one item at a time, then move back quickly.
· Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
· After fireworks fully complete their functioning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding to prevent a trash fire.
If you state prohibits the use of all or certain fireworks, follow the law. It is not worth injury to yourself, your child, or anyone else to illegally use fireworks. Check your local news source for public fireworks displays. These displays are set up with permits and are regulated by the local law enforcement. The best part is these displays will be the most entertaining and the safest, as they are carried out by professional pyrotechnicians.
For more information about fireworks injuries or other burn injuries, please contact Messa & Associates. Our personal injury attorneys are experienced with all types of burn, fireworks, fire, and explosion cases.
Every Fourth of July, thousands of Americans suffer serious injuries due to the use or misuse of unsafe or illegal fireworks. In many states, the use of even the simplest "bottle rocket" is illegal. States such as New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Delaware and Arizona have a ban on all consumer fireworks.
New Jersey, a neighbor to both New York and Delaware, has recently revoked its ban on all fireworks. Maine allows fireworks, but limits them to sparklers. Fun for kids, you may think, but they still have the potential to cause burns. Many people allow children to freely play with sparklers, which can result in anything from a light burn to a severe eye injury.
Other states, like South Dakota, South Carolina, and Tennessee allow most or all legal consumer fireworks to be sold and used throughout the year. Pennsylvania falls somewhere in between. Pennsylvania state law only allows fireworks that don't leave the ground to be sold and used by residents. However, residents from out of state and Pennsylvania residents with a permit can buy any consumer fireworks from an outlet. At the New York and New Jersey borders, police set up sting operations every year to prevent fireworks purchased in Pennsylvania from being transported across the border into New York.
The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission recommends taking the following precautions to prevent injuries and keep your Fourth of July happy and healthy.
· Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
· Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
· Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, as this can often be a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers.
· Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Parents often don’t realize that there are many injuries from sparklers to children under five. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
· Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move back a safe distance immediately after lighting.
· Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned.
· Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
· Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
· Light one item at a time, then move back quickly.
· Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
· After fireworks fully complete their functioning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding to prevent a trash fire.
If you state prohibits the use of all or certain fireworks, follow the law. It is not worth injury to yourself, your child, or anyone else to illegally use fireworks. Check your local news source for public fireworks displays. These displays are set up with permits and are regulated by the local law enforcement. The best part is these displays will be the most entertaining and the safest, as they are carried out by professional pyrotechnicians.
For more information about fireworks injuries or other burn injuries, please contact Messa & Associates. Our personal injury attorneys are experienced with all types of burn, fireworks, fire, and explosion cases.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Zicam
FDA Warning: Stop Use of Zicam Nasal Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has advised consumers to stop use of three intranasal over-the-counter cold remedies containing zinc after receiving more than 130 reports of loss of sense of smell (anosmia) associated with the products.
The products are:
Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel
Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs
Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size
Zicam is the brand name of products from Matrixx Initiatives. The company promotes its Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel by saying that it shortens your cold. Their website says it will "...help you get over your cold three times faster." Matrixx has several other Zicam products for both adults and children that are for flu, allergies, congestion, and sinus problems.
The Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size product has already been discontinued. The maker of
Zicam products, Mattrixx Initiatives of Scottsdale, Ariz., has not recalled these products. Loss of sense of smell can affect one’s personal safety and quality of life. Many people reported to FDA that the loss of sense of smell occurred with the first-time use of the product. Please consult a health care professional if you experience any loss of sense of smell or other problems after using intranasal cold remedies containing zinc, including Zicam products. FDA also requests reporting of these problems to the agency’s MedWatch program.
The health of the men and women in uniform and their families, as well as the health of our retirees and their families, is important to the Department of Defense. These products are sold over-the-counter and DoD has no record of who may have purchased or is using these products.
For more information, please contact Messa & Associates at 1.877.MessaLaw.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has advised consumers to stop use of three intranasal over-the-counter cold remedies containing zinc after receiving more than 130 reports of loss of sense of smell (anosmia) associated with the products.
The products are:
Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel
Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs
Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size
Zicam is the brand name of products from Matrixx Initiatives. The company promotes its Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel by saying that it shortens your cold. Their website says it will "...help you get over your cold three times faster." Matrixx has several other Zicam products for both adults and children that are for flu, allergies, congestion, and sinus problems.
The Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size product has already been discontinued. The maker of
Zicam products, Mattrixx Initiatives of Scottsdale, Ariz., has not recalled these products. Loss of sense of smell can affect one’s personal safety and quality of life. Many people reported to FDA that the loss of sense of smell occurred with the first-time use of the product. Please consult a health care professional if you experience any loss of sense of smell or other problems after using intranasal cold remedies containing zinc, including Zicam products. FDA also requests reporting of these problems to the agency’s MedWatch program.
The health of the men and women in uniform and their families, as well as the health of our retirees and their families, is important to the Department of Defense. These products are sold over-the-counter and DoD has no record of who may have purchased or is using these products.
For more information, please contact Messa & Associates at 1.877.MessaLaw.
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