Washington Personal Injury Lawyer & Attorney : Regan Zambri & Long Law Firm : DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

Trampolines are popular recreational devices.  Trampolining is even an official Olympic event.  Used improperly, however, trampolines can contribute to serious personal injuries. Having a trampoline on your property can carry important premises liability connotations.  According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) 91,870 people received treatment for trampoline injuries in U.S. emergency rooms in the year 2001, alone.  Ninety-three percent of those visits involved children under 15 years of age.  Following were the most common trampoline-related injuries:

• "Colliding with another person on the trampoline.
• Landing improperly while jumping or doing stunts on the trampoline.
• Falling or jumping off the trampoline.
• Falling on the trampoline springs or frame."

• Send To A Friend
• Print This Article
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Awareness of potential home and neighborhood hazards is an important part of personal injury prevention, and apartments and condominiums pose their own unique hazards.  If you're in the market for an apartment or condominium this fall, the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) offers these tips for assessing the safety of a potential unit in a rental complex:

• Send To A Friend
• Print This Article
• Comments
• Trackbacks

An influx of new students and the expiration of many residential leases makes fall a good time to highlight the rights of tenants and the obligations of landlords in preventing personal injuries in rental properties.  In D.C., the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) helps to protect the interests of tenants -- both residential and business -- through the enforcement of safety codes, and by conducting inspections and regulating land use and development.  The DCRA may conduct on-site inspections of a property if concerns are raised relating to the following circumstances:

• Send To A Friend
• Print This Article
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Many major do-it-yourself home improvements or repairs can be unsafe, and in the District of Columbia they're often illegal, as well.  Construction performed without required building permits is a public danger that can harm innocent people, not to mention property values and your ability to sell your home.  The D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) is responsible for issuing licenses and permits, conducting inspections, and enforcing rules related to buildings and housing.  According to the DCRA, proper permits are required to perform any of the following work within the district:

• Send To A Friend
• Print This Article
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Accidental deaths in the U.S. are increasing at an alarming rate according to data recently released by the National Safety Council (NSC).  Over the last 10 years, the rate of accidental death has jumped by more than 20%.  In fact, accidents are the number one cause of death for people between the ages of 1 and 41, with approximately one death occuring every 5 minutes.  The top-ranking causes of accidental death are as follows:

1. Vehicle crashes
2. Poisoning
3. Falls
4. Choking
5. Drowning

• Send To A Friend
• Print This Article
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Three new toy recalls by Mattel and Fisher-Price were recently announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).  Approximately 775,000 units were determined to have excessive lead content and subsequently were involved in the most recent recalls. 

The News Releases issued by CPSC on September 4, 2007 are quoted below in their entirety.

"NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2007
Release #07-301

Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 496-8330
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Mattel Recalls Various Barbie Accessory Toys Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Various Barbie Accessory Toys

Units: About 675,000

Importer: Mattel Inc., of El Segundo, Calif.

Hazard: Surface paints on the toys contain excessive levels of lead which is prohibited under federal law.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves various Barbie accessory toys that were manufactured between September 30, 2006 and August 20, 2007. The model names, product numbers and affected date code numbers are listed in a chart on CPSC's web site. The product and date code numbers are printed on the largest component of the toy sets.

Sold at: Retail stores nationwide from October 2006 through August 2007 for about $10.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Mattel for instructions on how to receive a free replacement toy of equal value.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Mattel's Fisher-Price hotline at (888) 496-8330 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.mattel.com/safety

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products and a chart of model names, product numbers and affected date code numbers, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07301.html

********************************************************

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2007
Release #07-302

Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 496-8330
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Fisher-Price Recalls Geo Trax Locomotive Toys Due To Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Geo Trax Locomotive Toys

Units: About 90,000

Importer: Fisher-Price Inc., of East Aurora, N.Y.

Hazard: Surface paints on the toys contain excessive levels of lead.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves the Geo Trax Freightway Transport and Geo Trax Special Track Pack locomotive toys. These toys are red with yellow paint on the ladder and horn details. The recalled models were manufactured between July 31, 2006 and August 20, 2007 and have a date code between 212-6CK through 325-6CK or 001-7CK through 232-7CK marked on the bottom of the product. The packaging on the Freightway Transport model is marked H5705 and the packaging on the Special Track Pack model is marked K3013.

Sold at: Retail stores nationwide from September 2006 through August
2007 for between $3 and $16.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Fisher-Price. Consumers will need to return the product in order to receive a free replacement toy.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Fisher-Price toll-free at (888) 496-8330 anytime or visit the firm's Web site at www.service.mattel.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including a picture of the recalled, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07302.html

********************************************************

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2007
Release #07-303

Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 496-8330
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Fisher-Price Recalls Bongo Band Toys Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Big Big World 6-in-1 Bongo Band toys

Units: About 8,900

Importer: Fisher-Price Inc., of East Aurora, N.Y.

Hazard: Surface paints on the toys contain excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal law prohibiting lead paint on children's toys.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled toys have two bongos, including one with a yellow and green plastic drum base with a blue drum surface. The other bongo is yellow and green plastic drum base with an orange drum surface with "It's a Big, Big World" printed on it. The toys were sold with animal shaped accessories including a monkey, bird, tambourine and drum stick. The toys have product number K9343 inside the orange drum. A date code between 139-7SH and 232-7SH is printed on the drum's orange ring surface. Bongo Band toys included in this recall must have both the product number and date code.

Sold at: Retail stores nationwide from July 2007 through August 2007 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Fisher-Price for instructions on returning the product in order to receive a free replacement toy.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Fisher-Price at
(888) 496-8330 anytime or visit the firm's Web site at www.mattel.com/safety

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including a picture of the recalled, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07303.html

• Send To A Friend
• Print This Article
• Comments
• Trackbacks

The latest U.S. traffic fatality data shows the lowest rate of annual traffic deaths ever recorded, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).  Unfortunately, the rate of motorcycle deaths has increased for the ninth consecutive year.  Motorcycles have grown in popularity as a means of transportation, particularly in light of recent fuel prices.  The NSC blames the majority of motorcycle deaths on the failure to wear a helmet, however, and notes that many states have recently repealed their motorcycle helmet laws (only 20 states and D.C. still require helmets).  In 2005, 47% of all motorcycle deaths occurred among riders 40 years of age or older -- a new trend highlighting the popularity of motorcycling among baby boomers. 

• Send To A Friend
• Print This Article
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Many families who own guns admit they don't store them safely according to a recent study published in the medical journal Pediatrics.  The study involved more than 3.700 parents with children between 2 and 11 years of age, interviewed in the offices of pediatricians in 45 states and Puerto Rico.  About half of all families with guns reported that they were not kept locked and roughly 20% failed to store firearms and ammunition in separate locations.

• Send To A Friend
• Print This Article
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Clothes dryers contribute to approximately 15,600 house fires, 400 injuries and 15 deaths each year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  Failure to clean lint from those dryers is a leading cause of fires.  Improper installation and maintenance are also common contributing factors.  Clothes dryers force hot air through a revolving drum to dry clothes.  The lint that accumulates during this drying process is mostly caught in a filter trap, but some also accumulates in both the dryer and the dryer vent.  This accumulation of debris reduces airflow through the machine, raises temperature levels, and provides a highly flammable source of fuel for a residential fire. 

• Send To A Friend
• Print This Article
• Comments
• Trackbacks

                                                      
September is Child Passenger Safety Month -- a month when children begin commuting to school each day and spending more time on the road.  Designating the month as a time to focus on child safety is one aspect of a national effort by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) to save lives by preventing injuries to children.  This national campaign, called "Boost to Safety," focuses on the importance of child safety seats.

• Send To A Friend
• Print This Article
• Comments
• Trackbacks

September is National Preparedness Month -- a collaborative effort of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Ad Council to help ensure that Americans across the country are equipped to respond to emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools.  Throughout the month of September, the coalition works to help people take simple steps toward emergency preparedness.

• Send To A Friend
• Print This Article
• Comments
• Trackbacks