(Source: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2018/Warm-Up-to-These-Winter-Safety-Tips).
The winter season presents special dangers for the community. Both outdoor and indoor activities can potentially be hazardous. So, whether you and your family are skiing down the slopes of Pennsylvania, or sitting next to a cozy fireplace in your home, the personal injury lawyers at Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C., want to provide you with some important safety tips as you and your family participate in activities in and near your home, as well as when you are off somewhere enjoying time with your family and friends in Berks and Schuylkill County, or beyond in other parts of Pennsylvania or out of state. Here is a sampling of things we can all do to be safer this winter season.
- Winter Sports: The key here is to make sure you protect your head, and it is particularly important for parents and supervising adults to make sure children are wearing the right head protection. The type of helmet you wear depends on the type of activity you are participating in (for example, snowboarding, snowmobiling, biking, etc.). The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends the use of helmets that are certified and designed for the use intended by the participant. Another thing, helmets should always be properly fitted.
- Snow Blowers: According to the CPSC, most accidents involving snow blowers occur when a consumer tries to clear snow from the discharge chute. The CPSC suggests that when clearing snow stuck in the blower, you must always make sure that the engine is turned off and even when the engine is turned off, you should never use your hands to clear the snow. Rather, the CPSC recommends using a long stick to do so. The CPSC also warns that you should never keep a snow blower running in an enclosed area due to the risk of carbon monoxide which can be deadly very quickly.
- Space Heaters: According to the CPSC, space heaters need space. They should be kept on a level surface, and they should be kept away from flammable materials such as curtains and bedding. The CPSC also advises that consumers should never power a space heater with an extension cord or power strip and the CPSC further advises that you should never leave a space heater on while sleeping or when no one is home.
- Carbon Monoxide (CO): CO is known as the invisible killer because it is colorless and odorless. The CPSC recommends that you should have a working CO alarm on every level of your home. The CPSC further recommends the following: never use a generator inside of your home, have your furnace inspected every year, and never leave a car running in the garage even with the garage door open.
The lawyers at Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C., are concerned for the safety of children and families in Reading, Berks County, PA, Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA, and throughout Central and Eastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia. The attorneys at the firm handle personal injury claims, including claims for serious injuries and death caused by the negligence of others and by unsafe and dangerous products.
From the desk of Adam K. Levin, Esquire.