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

Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior trial attorney.             

Each year during the month of October, attention focuses on fire safety and prevention. This issue deserves year-round attention.  Protect your family by addressing potential fire hazards throughout your home routinely and utilize preventive measures to avoid fires.  Taking steps to fireproof your home can go a long way in protecting your property and, most especially, saving your family.

The following listing includes the most frequent causes of bedroom fires:

• Misuse or poor maintenance of electrical devices
• Careless candle use
• Smoking in bed
• Children playing with matches or lighters

All of the above fire hazards are easily addressed by planning ahead and using common sense. In addition, pay attention to this simple fire safety checklist reproduced from About.com:

• "Install and maintain a working smoke alarm outside of every sleep area and remember to change the battery at least once a year.
   
• Designate two escape routes from each bedroom and practice them regularly.
   
• Teach everyone the 'Stop, Drop, and Roll' technique in case clothing catches on fire.
   
• Avoid storing old mattresses in the home or garage.
   
• Teach kids that matches, lighters and candles are tools, not toys. If you suspect that a child is playing with fire, check under beds and in closets for telltale signs like burned matches. Matches and lighters should be stored in a secure drawer or cabinet."

According to the U.S. Fire Administration division of FEMA, over 75% of all fire fatalities occur in homes.  Don't become the next statistic. Please be safe.

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney and Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. The association has recently named him the " 2011 Trial Lawyer of the Year".  He has also been acknowledged by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all of the more than 80,000 lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also acknowledged him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in medical malpractice matters, product liability claims, and serious automobile accident claims. Mr. Zambri was recently (2011 edition) acknowledged as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers, and has also been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Law and Politics magazine (2011)--a national publication that honors the top lawyers in the country.

Mr. Zambri is regularly asked to present seminars to lawyers and doctors, as well as both medical and law students concerning defective products, medication errors, medical malpractice litigation, and safety improvements.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com.  You may also reach him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior partner

Although we have previously written a number of safety articles regarding Halloween safety, the number of possible situations for accidents is practically endless.  A recent media release by the CPSC summarizes some important considerations for parents about costumes, treats, and decorations. We are reproducing the CPSC publication in its entirety for our readers:

"WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants parents of trick-or-treaters to know that there is nothing scary about preventing Halloween-related injuries. By taking a few simple safety precautions when selecting costumes and Halloween decorations, consumers can prevent burn, fall and laceration injuries.

Parents who make their kids' costumes can send off their little ghosts, goblins and superheroes safely by using inherently flame-resistant fabrics, such as polyester and nylon. These materials will resist burning if exposed to an open flame. When purchasing a costume, look for "Flame Resistant" on the product's tag or packaging

Lighting the night also is made safer when children have no access to open flames. Flameless candles, light sticks and flashlights provide a safe lighting alternative in jack-o'-lanterns and areas where children will have access.

"Uncovering Halloween's hidden dangers is simple with CPSC's safety steps," said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "Thoughtful costume selection, care with candles and careful placement of decorations and lighting will help ensure your Halloween is safe and enjoyable."

In addition to providing safety tips, the CPSC works to keep children and families safe during the holiday celebration by enforcing the Flammable Fabrics Act and recalling hazardous costumes and products at Halloween and throughout the year.

Make this year's holiday a safe one by following these safety tips on costumes, treats and decorations:

Costumes

• When purchasing costumes, masks, beards and wigs, look for flame-resistant fabrics such as nylon or polyester, or look for the label "Flame Resistant." Flame-resistant fabrics will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. To minimize the risk of contact with candles and other fire sources, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves, large capes or billowing skirts.
• Purchase or make costumes that are light colored, bright and clearly visible to motorists.
• For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights. Bags or sacks also should be light-colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle and sporting goods stores.
• Children should carry flashlights to see and be seen.
• To guard against trips and falls, costumes should fit well and not drag on the ground.
• Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. Oversized high heels are not a good idea.
• Tie hats and scarves securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes and obstructing their vision.
• If your child wears a mask, make sure it fits securely, provides adequate ventilation, and has eye holes large enough to allow full vision.
• Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be made of soft, flexible material.

Treats

•  Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has examined them carefully for evidence of tampering.
• Carefully examine any toys or novelty items received by trick-or-treaters younger than three years of age. Do not allow young children to have any items that are small enough to present a choking hazard or that have small parts or components that could separate during use and present a choking hazard.

Decorations

• Keep candles and jack-o'-lanterns away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame.
• Remove obstacles from lawns, steps and porches when expecting trick-or-treaters.
• Indoors, keep candles and jack-o'-lanterns away from curtains, decorations and other items that could ignite. Do not leave burning candles unattended.
• Indoors or outside, use only decorative light strands that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory. Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets.
• Don't overload extension cords.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov."

CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

I have four children, who love Halloween, as most kids and parent do.  We are one of those families that deck the house with all kinds of decorations to really get into the spirit of the holiday.   However, my wife and I spend time with our kids every year, teaching them how to be careful as they "trick or treat" throughout our community.  We are also very careful to take precautions with our decorations to be sure we put safety over fun.  There is nothing fun about a tragedy.

Happy Halloween, and please be safe.

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including premises liability, automobile accident, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Law and Politics (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior attorney

Each year, we are reminded by the American Red Cross, local fire departments and other agencies that October is Fire Safety Month.  Each year, we learn of tragic stories of families destroyed by fire, many of which could have been avoided by proper installation and maintenance of smoke alarms.  

Recent publications by the American Red Cross emphasizes some simple yet critical guidelines for helping to minimize the potential fire dangers faced by families.  We have reproduced one of the most recent articles below in its entirety for the benefit of our readers.

"Home Fires A Threat To All Of Us"

"Friday, October 15, 2010 — The American Red Cross and its 650 chapters respond to more than 63,600 home fires every year, or about 170 fires a day. Fire in the home is the most common threat to families in this country, and that danger increases as the weather turns colder and people turn to alternate sources to help heat their homes.

The use of such items as space heaters, fireplaces or coal or wood stoves can be dangerous if not used properly. Fires related to heating are the second leading cause of home fires in this country, and fixed and portable space heaters are involved in 74 percent of fire-related deaths.

Smoke alarms are one of the best ways to protect you and your loved ones in the event of a fire. They provide a few minutes of advance warning, and that extra time can save lives. According to the National Fire Protection Association, from 2003 to 2006, forty percent of all home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms, while 23 percent resulted from homes in which smoke alarms were present but did not operate.

The Red Cross recommends you install the alarms on every level of the home, as well as inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas of the home. They should also be tested once a month by pushing the test button, and batteries should be replaced yearly or as soon as you hear a low battery warning, which appears as a "chirping" noise for many alarms. Other tips include:

• Keep smoke alarms clean by vacuuming over and around it regularly. Dust and debris can interfere with its operation.
• Smoke alarms wear out. Replace your alarms every 10 years. If you can’t remember when you last replaced them, buy new alarms that are interconnected, if possible.
• Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do when they hear it.

Only 26 percent of families have developed a family escape plan. To ensure the safety of your loved ones, make sure that all household members know ways to escape from every room of your home. Designate a meet-up spot outside the home in case of fire. This fire escape plan should be practiced at least twice a year. Each household member should also know how to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire."

For more information on Fire Safety and Prevention, visit www.redcross.org.

The safest home fire is the one that never occurs. Having an operational smoke detector in your home and educating your family with a sensible escape plan are the best ways to protect your family in the event of a home fire. 

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including premises liability, automobile accident, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Law and Politics (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by Salvatore J. Zambri, founding partner

According to a recent story in Trading Markets.com, "Appliance Recall Check is a new service that helps consumers identify recalled appliances in their homes. Most of the 195 million recalled appliances in American homes are not identified until there is a fire or other tragedy. Many other appliances with functionality recalls are replaced at the consumer's expense even though a manufacturer is responsible.

The first time a homeowner may be aware of an appliance recall is when a fire marshal tells them about the recall after a house fire. The story is not the 1.7 million dishwashers in the recent Maytag recall, but the more than 195 million other recalled appliances now in American homes.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (http://www.cpsc.gov) website home page assures consumers that "You can find information on over 4,500 product recalls and recall alerts using the various searches on this page". That is true. The problem with the manufacturer and CPSC sites is that a consumer must wade through each of the individual recalls to find out if their dishwasher or other appliance is a potential hazard. This type of search is like searching the list of phone numbers in a phone book to find a specific name instead of looking up the name of the person.

There is a solution that allows consumers to search for recalls on each of their household appliances including heating, cooling, hot water, laundry and built in kitchen appliances in one, easy location. Think of this database as your "phone book" for recalls.

www.ApplianceRecallCheck.com allows for entering the brand, model and serial number of all of the household appliances in a residential home. Within two business days, the service will return a report containing information about recalls. If there is a defect, the report will include:

• Nature of the Recall
• Where the product was sold
• How to remedy the defect
• How to get the item repaired/replaced (usually free)
• The report also includes the manufacturer's contact details, the business hours of the manufacturer and what to do if the manufacturer fails to respond to a claim.

Appliance Recall Check is a service providing database search of existing Consumer Product Safety Commission appliance recalls based upon model and serial numbers. This service allows a single entry of Make, Model and Serial numbers in list form as opposed to consumers searching multitudes of individual recalls for each category of individual appliances."

Don't wait until your home is destroyed by fire to learn of a recalled appliance. Take advantage of this new service to determine whether any of the appliances in your home or those you plan to purchase are included in a recall notice. 

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners. His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA. Mr. Zambri has been named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers (2011 edition), as well as a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)--national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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