Item: Flaxman Law Group
Rating: 5
Author: Clara Barman

Safe Shopping Practices

Published on: December 11, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

While Black Friday is behind us, the injuries reported around the world during these sales are reason enough to brush up on your safe shopping skills. The reality is that at this time of year many premises liability cases in Hollywood and Florida arise from shopping trips gone wrong. Unfortunately, some shoppers in our community are injured each year while visiting stores, shops, and malls and in some cases the injuries they sustain are life-threatening. At this time of year, there is also often an increase in thefts and other types of crimes.

When shopping this year, authorities recommend that you stay safe by:

1) Locking your car when you shop or use an ATM.

Locking up your car, even if you will only be out for a minute, is a smart precaution that can help prevent theft and other crimes. You don’t want to be injured because your car made an attractive target for a thief and you happened to interrupt a crime.

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Planning a Safe Holiday Party

Published on: December 9, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

If you are planning a holiday party this year, of course you want a memorable event and you will want your guests to have a great time. However, you will also want to make sure that your guests stay safe. Whether you are planning a personal or workplace holiday party, you can keep guests healthy and avoid a premises liability claim in Homestead or your community by following these tips:

1) Decorate safely.

Party decorations can be a lot of fun, but they can also pose a hazard. Where possible, avoid decorating with candles, since they can pose a fire hazard. Even if you are using strings of lights, however, you will need to check for any damage to cords and connectors. Old, worn lights should be replaced. Never hang lights near flammable materials, such as drapes or paper. Lights can still overheat or cause sparks if they malfunction.

If you are throwing a party at home, keep in mind that you will need to use extra precautions if some of your guests will be pets or young children. In these situations, you will want to avoid any decorations that hang or drag near the floor. You will also want to avoid any plants that could be harmful if consumed or any decorations that have small removable parts that may pose a choking hazard. When in doubt, place any potentially hazardous decoration high up and out of reach.

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Safety-First Holiday Gift Guide

Published on: December 4, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Are you shopping for everyone on your holiday shopping list? You may want to come up with fun and innovative ways to show you care, but what shows that you care more than gifts that help loved ones stay safer and healthier all year long? Consider these gifts for your friends and family:

1) Carbon monoxide alarms and covers.

These safety devices can help loved ones stay safer in their homes and could even save their lives. While carbon monoxide detectors are not usually especially attractive, it is possible to buy special covers for them to disguise them. These covers make great stocking stuffers.

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Do You Have Young Guests Coming Over this Holiday Season? Here’s How to Make Your Home Safe

Published on: December 2, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

If your holiday plans this year include inviting guests to your home, you will want to take steps to make sure that your home is safe. This is especially the case if any of your guests will be bringing their children with them. Florida laws state that property owners have a special duty of care to children that may be on their property. If any of your guests will be minors, you will want to:

1) Secure any areas that pose a drowning danger.

If you have a swimming pool on your property, prevent drowning and pool injury in your Homestead or Florida home by keeping the area locked and secure. However, keep in mind that even a decorative pond or a few inches of water that are part of holiday décor can pose a drowning hazard for small children.

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Safety Experts Warn That This is the Season to Take Fire Safety Seriously

Published on: November 21, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

The holidays pose a number of dangers when it comes to burn injuries and fires. Some of the decorations that we use in our homes can pose a fire risk, and the distraction around this time of year can also make us less alert to fire hazards. To keep you and your family safe, make sure that you follow these tips:

1) Be cautious about outdoor lights.

When hanging outdoor lights, turn off the electricity to the supply outlet first and make sure that the connection is unplugged. Only hang outdoor lights that are intended for outdoor use and are in good condition. Throw out or repair any lights with frayed or damaged cords and connectors. Use a sturdy ladder and have someone help you to reduce the risk of falls. Keep electrical connectors off the ground and away from eaves troughs and puddles.

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It’s Time to Consider Shopping Safety

Published on: November 19, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

This is the time of year when many Homestead and Florida residents go shopping for the holidays. Whether you are picking up gifts for family members and friends, decorations for your home, taking advantage of seasonable sales, or shopping for special holiday meals, you may be out and about more often at malls and stores. When shopping, you will want to keep the following tips in mind to stay safe this holiday season:

1) Plan ahead.

Before you head out shopping, plan your trip. Try shopping during less busy hours, when you won’t be as much at risk of being crushed by crowds or being in a parking lot accident because there simply too many other shoppers at your store or mall. Find out about store hours, the best route to get to your favorite stores, as well as any construction you will need to consider. Be sure to also check out store services, such as free shipping, valet parking, or special parking areas that can help you stay safer.

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Fun (and Safety) At Florida’s Theme Parks and Amusement Parks

Published on: November 14, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

If you have friends and family visiting your Miami or Florida home for the holidays, it is likely that you will take your guests out to see the many visitor attractions that South Florida has to offer. If you have children visiting, you will want to visit one of the area’s many theme parks or amusement parks. To keep you visit safe as well as fun, be sure to follow these safety tips:

1) Check and follow all park rules. Read the individual rules for each ride as well as overall rules for the theme park. These rules exist to keep you safe.

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Everyone Can Help in Preventing Drowning and Water-Related Injury in Florida

Published on: November 12, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Florida has many waterways and in some communities there are pools in almost every back yard. It’s no secret: Floridians love their water recreation, whether its swimming, boating, or water sports. While the weather permits year-round fun in the water, though, all the opportunities can also mean plenty of water and boating accidents in Homestead and other cities.

The Florida Safety Council and other organizations are committed to improving water safety in the state and preventing water-related fatalities and injuries. Everyone has a role in this project. For example, you can help by:

1) Learning to swim and helping family and friends learn to swim.

Strong swimming skills are one of the best ways to prevent drowning. Swimming lessons can also help teach water safety. If you have children or family, make sure that everyone you know knows the importance of swimming.

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Time to Review Halloween Safety Tips to Prevent Child Injury

Published on: October 3, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

At this time of year, stores are filled with Halloween candies and costumes. This is also the season when many parents are stocking up on candies, costumes, and festive decorations. Unfortunately, some of these items can lead to child injury in Homestead or your community – especially if costumes and decorations are not used as intended. To keep your family safe, follow these safety tips:

1) Buy or make costumes that allow for easy mobility.

Whether you buy costumes, rent them, or make your own, make sure that they are easy to move in. Costumes that upset a child’s balance or restrict their arms or legs too much can create fall hazards.

2) Be careful of tripping hazards.

Long cords, hems, and tails on costumes can pose a tripping hazard. For younger children, long necklaces or drawstrings can also pose a strangling hazard. Look for costumes that fit properly and will not trip your child up.

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Do You Have a Serious Injury, Such as a Spinal Cord Injury, in Miami Beach or a Surrounding Community? Check out the New Beach

Published on: September 30, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

For people who have serious mobility issues, spinal cord injuries, or head injuries in Miami Beach or South Florida, going to the beach can be less than carefree. For them, the beach is less about sunscreen and catching some sun and more about trying to navigate a space that is not always friendly for those who have mobility issues.

Most beaches are difficult to navigate because the sand makes it hard to get around in a wheelchair or with braces. Most beaches also have boardwalks with stairs, which can be a challenge for visitors and residents with serious injuries. Car accidents in Miami Beach and other communities can also happen on beaches if beachgoers cannot move out of the way in time to avoid a car or patrol vehicle driving along packed sand.

Even getting into the water can be a big obstacle without assistance. While many beaches provide some adaptive features – such as wheelchair mats – many beach facilities are not accessible to someone with mobility challenges. For example, wheelchair mats generally do not go to the sand or the water. Many water sports equipment is not accessible, and many picnic areas are too high for wheelchair users.

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