Articles Posted in Injuries

EV fires becoming more common, posing risk of injuries from burns, electric shock and toxic fumes.Electronic vehicles (EVs) are quickly growing in popularity. Although they are said to be more environmentally friendly than their gas-powered counterparts, these vehicles are not without risks of their own.

Recent reports state that EV fires are becoming more commonplace and are extremely dangerous, posing risk of injuries not only from burns, but also from electric shock and toxic fumes. Why are these fires more difficult to battle than ordinary car fires? Read “Dangerous EV Fires Becoming More Common in New Jersey” to find out.

Pedestrian-fatalities-PI-blog-300x200According to a recent study, pedestrian fatalities in this country have increased more than 50% since 2012. What’s more, the study found that New Jersey’s roads are the most dangerous for pedestrians, with pedestrian deaths accounting for 30.3% of all traffic accident fatalities in the State, compared with a national rate of 17.3%.

What’s behind this national increase in pedestrian deaths? According to the study, it’s a combination of factors including more people choosing walking over driving and more distractions, particularly cell phones, taking people’s attention away from their surroundings. But there are things both drivers and pedestrians can do to increase the safety of our roads. For some tips, read “New Jersey has the most dangerous roads for pedestrians.”

Man carving turkey at Thanksgiving table. Tips for avoiding Holiday accidents.Thanksgiving is just a week away. If you’re hosting this year’s feast for family and friends, you’re most likely consumed with planning the menu to make sure your guests are well-fed. But while you’re at it, don’t neglect their safety … or yours.

This holiday has the dubious distinction of being the number one day for home cooking fires as well as ranking among the top 10 deadliest days to drive. Paying close attention to these and other hidden holiday hazards can help avoid accidental injury to yourself or your guests. For a list of Thanksgiving safety tips to consider, read “The Most Common Thanksgiving Safety Hazards and How to Protect Your Family.”

Orange jack-o-lantern buckets with Halloween candy held by children in costumes.The frights and thrills associated with Halloween are meant to be in good fun. Children dress in costumes and venture past the witches, ghosts and goblins that haunt their neighborhoods for the night, to be rewarded with candy and other edible treats. But, for children with food allergies, those treats can lead to serious injury.

Reading the ingredients on food packaging labels doesn’t always tell the whole story. Understanding the manufacturing process can be just as important as knowing the ingredients when it comes to avoiding allergens. For example, did you know that those miniature candies so popular this time of year might not be the same as their full-size counterparts?

To learn what you can do to make sure all the ghouls and goblins who ring your doorbell this Halloween can safely enjoy their treats, read “Avoid a Food Allery Scare on Halloween.”

Island wildfire and other natural disasters bring out scam artists to prey on those who want to helpNatural disasters like the recent wildfires in Hawaii have a way of bringing people together. It is common for those not directly affected by the devastation to want to reach out and help those who have lost so much. But while events like these bring out the best in some people, they also bring out the worst in others.

Scam artists often use news of destruction to prey on people looking to offer monetary aid to those directly affected. There are ways, however, that you can help without becoming a victim yourself.  For tips on how to avoid playing into scam artists’ schemes when attempting to help victims of the Hawaii fires or any other natural disaster read, “NJ Attorney General: Help Hawaii Fire Victims Without Being Scammed.”

Child and parent riding bikes at sunsetThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced a recall of children’s bicycles due to a defect that causes the handlebars and stem of the bike to loosen or, in some cases, detach from the frame. To date, this defect has resulted in about 19 reported injuries.

The recall affects more than 80,000 bikes manufactured by woom Bikes USA and designed for children ranging in age from toddler to 14 years. For additional information concerning this recall and the bicycles affected, read “Thousands of children’s bicycles recalled after reports of handlebars detaching.”

Scams perpetrated by cell phone calls from unknown callersScammers are becoming increasingly more cunning and sophisticated in their attempts to extract personal information and/or money from their victims. According to the Federal Trade Commission, nearly $5.8 billion was lost in 2021 to scams, up 70% from the previous year. And that’s just from the scams that were reported.

Often victims of scams are too embarrassed to admit they had been taken, or simply don’t know where to report the crime. Many of these victims are seniors who can ill afford to lose their retirement savings. Regardless of your age or status, being robbed of personal information or money through fraudulent means can be devastating. There are steps you can take to protect yourself. To learn more read, “Most Common Consumer Scams in NJ – And How To Protect Yourself.”

Holiday-Fire-Prevention-PI-Blog-Photos-7-300x200This time of year the flickering glow of candles, the bright lights decorating our homes and holiday trees all add to the festive nature of the holidays, but they also pose a high risk for house fires. The National Fire Protection Association has reported that most December house fires can be attributed to candles, which are used in the celebration of many holidays that fall this time of year. Christmas trees are another major contributing factor. These fires can be devastating, leading to property loss, and putting you, your family, your neighbors, and emergency responders at risk for injury.

To keep your holiday celebrations from going up in smoke, it is important to take some extra care to make sure your decorations are safe, and your fire and smoke detectors are in working order. The New Jersey Division of Fire Safety issued a few tips—many of which are common sense but worth revisiting—to help you reduce your risk of holiday fires. For more information read “Follow These Tips to Prevent Holiday Fires, NJ Expert Says.”

Stroller recall; baby in strollerParents and caregivers who have purchased a Mockingbird stroller between March 2020 and September of this year can expect to receive a letter from the manufacturer announcing a recall due to the risk of injury certain of these strollers pose to young children.

It was reported recently that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission had received numerous reports of the frames of certain of these strollers cracking, causing children to fall inside the strollers and risking injury. Parents are urged to stop using these strollers immediately. To learn if your stroller is one of the affected ones read, “Stroller recall: Nearly 150K strollers recalled sue to this hazard.”

Halloween-Safety-PI-blog-300x200Halloween is just a little over two weeks away. As you decorate your yard and fill your candy bowls in preparation, it’s a good idea to take a few moments to check your property for safety hazards.

Trick-or-treaters donned in masks and flowing costumes are focused on one thing only—the treats they are about to receive. These children are easily distracted by spooky decorations, the antics of their friends, and the general excitement of the holiday. They aren’t watching for hidden hazards like sticks, stones, uneven pavements, loose pets or open flames from candles and torches. As the homeowner, it is your responsibility to make sure your property is clear of any obvious hazards that could lead to slip and falls or other injuries. For a convenient safety checklist of what to look for, read “How to Prepare Your House for Trick-or-Treaters.”

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