Nov 21, 2018 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 2 minutes | Personal Injury Attorney

Personal Injury Lawyer │ Thanksgiving Cooking Safety

Personal Injury Lawyer │ Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it is time again to join loved ones for a delicious home-cooked meal.  While entertaining family and friends during the holidays can be fun, it is important that we not forget about basic kitchen safety during the festivities. According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are three times more likely on Thanksgiving Day than on any other day of the year.  In 2016, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,570 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving. Here are a few safety tips to follow that will minimize your risk in the kitchen and ensure that your holiday feast is prepared as smoothly – and safely! – as possible. Before Cooking Begins Start the day off by making proper attire choices. Cooks should avoid loose clothing and dangling sleeves while preparing food. Test all smoke alarms in the home and replace batteries, if necessary. Smoke alarms should be located near the kitchen, on each level of the home, and near sleeping areas. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Contact a local fire department to learn about the proper use of fire extinguishers. While in the Kitchen  Check food regularly and remain in the home while cooking. Use a timer as a reminder that the stove or oven is on. Be sure to stay in the kitchen if you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you are simmering, baking roasting or broiling food, remain in the home. Keep all flammable items away from the stove, oven, or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat. This includes pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or even curtains. Children should stay away from the cooking area. Enforce a “kid-free” zone and have kids stay at least three feet away from the stove After You’ve Finished Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off. Don’t forget to include these safety tips on your Thanksgiving menu to reduce the risk of injury to you and your loved ones. If an injury occurs due to the negligence of another or a faulty product, call to schedule a free initial consultation with a Personal Injury Lawyer at Young Wooldridge, LLP. From our family to yours, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving with your loved ones.

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Nov 10, 2018 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 2 minutes | Personal Injury

Personal Injury Attorney | Drowsy Driving Prevention

Bakersfield Personal Injury Attorney helping drivers reduce their risk on the road when it comes to drowsy driving. Personal Injury Attorney | Drowsy drivers are a dangerous addition to America’s roads. With nearly one-quarter of American adults saying that they know someone who has fallen asleep at the wheel, it’s no wonder that drowsy driving has become an increasingly concerning issue on our nation’s roads. From 2011 to 2015, 4,121 lives were claimed due to car accidents related to drowsy driving. The National Safety Council warns against these symptoms of drowsy driving: Frequent yawning or difficulty keeping your eyes open “Nodding off” or having trouble keeping your head up Inability to remember driving the last few miles Missing road signs or turns Difficulty maintaining your speed Drifting out of your lane One staggering statistic from the American Sleep Foundation tells us that more than half of all U.S. drivers admit to consistently operating a vehicle while feeling drowsy. Drowsy driving can be hazardous to you, your passengers and other motorists around you. Driving when fatigued affects awareness and attention behind the wheel and greatly reduces the driver’s reaction time. Our team of Personal Injury Attorneys advise you to follow these safety tips to prevent drowsy driving and reduce your risk on the road.   Remember the following tips and help put an end to tragic drowsy driving accidents. If you’ve been awake for 24 hours or more, do not drive. It isn’t safe. Travel during times you are normally awake. If you feel fatigued, stop and drink something with caffeine. Make sure you are not fatigued by any medications you might be taking. If you are, use public transportation instead. On long road trips, make a pit stop every 100 miles (or every two hours) to stretch, get something to eat or drink and break up the monotony of the road. If you simply cannot shake your exhaustion, stop and nap in a safe place. Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep every night. For many of us, stress, responsibility and distractions make it hard to get this recommended amount. That means that many of us are susceptible to drowsy driving much of the time. Statistics show us that men are slightly more at risk for fatigued driving as are people between the ages of 18 and 25. Most fall asleep accidents happen at high speeds, on long road trips or rural highways. Armed with this knowledge and the above warning signs and safety tips, you can help to reduce the number of drowsy drivers on the road. If you have suffered a personal injury due to drowsy driving, contact The Personal Injury Department at Young Wooldridge, LLP. A personal injury attorney at Young Wooldridge, LLP can inform you of legal options you may not know you have.

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Oct 15, 2018 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 2 minutes | Personal Injury

Personal Injury Lawyer | Basic School Bus Safety

An experienced Personal Injury Lawyer can inform you of your rights if your child is injured on a school bus due to negligence.  Personal Injury Lawyer | School buses are the safest form of travel for children going to school. By taking an average of 36 cars off the road per bus, school buses aren’t only decreasing car accidents for children, they’re decreasing traffic and subsequent accidents, in general. However, as with any motor vehicle, school bus accidents do occur. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, four to six school-age children die each year and about 17,000 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with school buses. School bus injuries can occur when children are riding the bus, getting on or off the bus, or just standing near the bus. Understandably, some parents can be apprehensive about putting their children on school buses each day. To help dissuade some of their concerns, parents can follow and talk about some recommended practical safety measures with their school-aged children before sending them off to ride the bus. To limit risk and ensure the safest ride to school for your child, teach them to practice these safety guidelines: When Riding the Bus: If seat belts are available on the bus, buckle up. Stay in your seat. Wait until the bus has come to a complete stop before exiting. Don’t yell, speak loudly or make abrupt noises that may distract the driver. Keep your hands, arms, and heads inside the bus at all times. Getting On and Off the Bus: Stand away from the street as the bus approaches. When crossing the street before boarding or after exiting, teach kids to make sure the bus driver indicates it is safe to cross. Children should always walk in front of a school bus. Teach them to look left, right and left again before crossing. Bus Stop Safety: Walk children to the bus stop and wait with them until the bus arrives. Make sure that your bus stop and the children waiting are highly visible to other neighborhood drivers. Drivers should always exercise extreme caution around school buses. Although motorists are required, by law, to stop and wait for a school bus and exiting or boarding children, more school-aged pedestrians are killed in the hour before and after school than any other time of day. Every motorist should expect that children boarding or exiting the bus are not paying attention to other vehicles as they cross the street. If you or someone you love has suffered a personal injury involving a school bus, contact the Personal Injury Department at Young Wooldridge, LLP. A personal injury lawyer at Young Wooldridge, LLP can inform you of legal options you may not know you have.

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Jul 14, 2018 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 3 minutes | Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyer | Summer Fire Safety: Campfire, BBQ and Bonfire Best Practices

Personal Injury Lawyer in Bakersfield, CA helping people in Kern County avoid Summer Burn Injuries Personal Injury Lawyer | Summertime and fires seem to go hand-in-hand. Whether it’s the delicious char-smell of the grill, the serene crackling of a campfire under the stars of a beachside bonfire, the addition of fire has been enhancing summer fun for thousands of years. While fire adds to our experience in various ways, it does come with a great deal of responsibility. Safe fire practices are important to exercise and to educate all of our family members on. From a young age, children should be taught to treat fire with respect and responsibility. As your summer activities heat up, keep in mind some safety facts about campfires, BBQ’s and Bonfires: CAMPFIRES The open air, sleeping under the stars, the hard work and it’s payoff – camping is a family activity like no other. Few vacations are as good at removing all members of the family from daily distractions as camping. Assigning tasks from tent building to wash station and canteen setup gives everyone a purpose and a role when camping. Few camping responsibilities are as satisfying as that of the fire-builder. The sheer excitement of creating a fire is all the more reason that the person in charge of this task should demonstrate safe fire behavior and educate the rest of the group along the way. Keep the campfire best practices from Smokey Bear in mind when camping this summer season: Go without a fire if the climate is dry and conditions are hazardous. Do not build a fire if they are prohibited in your campground. Look for existing fire pits. Keep tents and other structures and vehicles at least 15 feet from the fire. Choose an open, level spot for your fire that is safe from wind gusts. Keep your campfire to a manageable size. Never throw dangerous items into the fire like aerosol cans, pressurized containers, glass or aluminum cans. Supervise pets and children near the fire at all times. Let the fire extinguish all the way before leaving it or turning in. Dowse fires with water or stir up the ashes to extinguish fires completely. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave. Don’t depart your campground with a potentially dangerous fire waiting to catch. BBQs Grilling is a quintessential part of summer. The summer would be lost without the flipping of burgers, turning of hot dogs and sizzling of steaks on the barbeque. From shish kebabs to corn on the cob, everyone has a grill favorite. As much as these cooking contraptions add to our summer experience, it makes sense that they come with some big safety concerns. The grill master and all others present should be aware of safe grill use and activity. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends the following: Use grill outside and at least 3 feet from siding, decking and eaves. Clean grill grates and grease traps after each use. Open the grill before lighting and ensure all burners are lit if using a propane grill. If a burner won’t light, turn the gas off to this burner. Maintain a 3 foot safe zone around the grill and make children aware of it. Monitor pets in this area as well. Discard old coals in a metal container when they have extinguished and once they are cool. Never leave any grill unattended. Wear short sleeves or roll them up when grilling. Use long-handled barbeque tools. Fully extinguish/turn grill off and allow to cool completely before attempting to move or store it. BONFIRES Bonfires are great for several reasons in the summer. You could be cleaning up dead yard debris and burying it in your yard. Family reunions and picnics are a great time to visit around a bonfire as are summer marshmallow roasting bonfires. Many U.S. beaches allow bonfires. There is little that compares to an evening bonfire on the beach, listening to the waves and watching the moon reflect off the ocean. Bonfires tend to be rather large and can get out of control quickly. Tending a bonfire is a great responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Keep in mind the following practices for a safe and enjoyable summer bonfire: Build bonfires away from sheds, fences and trees. Build the fire away from cables like telephone wire hanging overhead. Avoid using lighter fluid to start the bonfire as it can get out of control easily and tends to leave a trail. Make sure that your bonfire stack won’t fall to one side as it deteriorates. NEVER throw fireworks into a bonfire. Keep children and pets at a safe distance from the fire. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy. Never leave a bonfire unattended. Spray the embers when your bonfire is finished. If you or a loved one is involved in a personal injury accident involving a fire, contact The Personal Injury Department at Young Wooldridge, LLP. A personal injury lawyer at Young Wooldridge, LLP can inform you of legal options you may not know you have. https://smokeybear.com/en/prevention-how-tos/campfire-safety https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/bonfire-safety https://www.gov.je/StayingSafe/FireSafety/Outdoors/pages/bonfires.aspx https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/summer.html https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2011/06/29/summer-fire-safety-tips-fema  

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Dec 22, 2017 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 3 minutes | Personal Injury

Personal Injury Attorney | Holiday Highway Safety | Young Wooldridge, LLP

TRAVELING TO SEE FAMILY AND FRIENDS THIS SEASON? AVOID DANGEROUS HIGHWAY DISASTERS WITH THESE TIPS For many Americans, the holidays are a time to jump in the family vehicle and make the hike to visit loved ones who live far away. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, long-distance trips (more than 50 miles, one way) increase by 54% over the short Thanksgiving holiday period and by 24% through the Christmas and New Years stretch. About 91% of holiday travel is done by personal vehicle. These facts mean our nation’s major highways are more crowded than usual with travelers who may not be familiar with the roads. Concerns like inclement weather, drowsy driving, distracted driving and, the always dangerous, driving while under the influence are heightened during the holiday season. As an increased number of people crowd onto the roadways, more of these hazardous driving situations become realities. It’s no wonder that Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years consistently rank in Deadliest Holiday Lists. Before you gas up for that long drive this year, check out the list below for tips to prepare you for safe holiday travel. Never start a trip after you’ve been drinking. Get some rest and allow your body enough time to return to an alert state before getting behind the wheel for any long, or even short, periods of time. Get a good night’s sleep before a long-distance trip. Drowsy driving is one of the deadliest factors on the road. Don’t make plans to leave straight from work, early in the morning or at times you would otherwise be resting. If you become tired while driving, stop and rest or get some caffeine to wake you up. Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. The potential for multiple car accidents increases in heavy traffic. Maintain safe speeds and distance from the vehicles around you to ensure you have time to stop or space to avoid a collision. A safe rule to stick to is one car length for every ten miles per hour you’re traveling. Don’t be a distracted driver. Distracted driving accidents now make up roughly one-quarter of all traffic accidents. With the widespread use of cell phones and other handheld devices, we are less present behind the wheel than ever before. When you are operating a vehicle, you need to be focused on one thing only: the road. Leave work emails, family texts and GPS directions for your rest breaks and gas stops. Keep your seatbelt on. It is common for drivers or their family members to unbuckle during long drives for comfort. Everyone in the vehicle should wear their seatbelts at all times while the car is in motion. It is no secret that seatbelts save lives, especially in high-speed auto crashes. Maintain your vehicle. Before your trip, take some time to ensure your vehicle’s safety. Check tire pressure, refill washer fluid and test all lights and signals. Make sure that there is nothing lose or hanging from your vehicle. If you should break down while traveling, be sure to pull as far off the road as you can or at a designated rest stop if possible. Be prepared. Map your route before you embark on your trip and be ready for crowded roads. Have emergency roadside assistance information on hand. Keep cell phones charged and handy in the event of an accident. Keep the holidays merry and bright and protect yourself and your loved ones from deadly highway accidents by staying alert and properly preparing for your trip. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, contact The Personal Injury Department at Young Wooldridge, LLP. A personal injury attorney at Young Wooldridge, LLP can inform you of legal options you may not know you have.

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Jul 3, 2017 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 3 minutes | Personal Injury

Tips for a Happy and Safe Fourth of July

It’s safe to say that the Fourth of July is one of America’s favorite holidays.  And how could it not be?  Each year, we celebrate America’s birthday with great food, fireworks, and plenty of red, white and blue.  However, while you are busy celebrating with family and friends, fire and law enforcement officials are busy responding to the increase in incidents that will occur during the holiday. Don’t forget to keep these important safety tips in mind to keep your festivities fun and accident-free. The American Red Cross has provided the following safety tips to protect you and your loved ones for a happy – and safe – Fourth of July! HIGHWAY SAFETY Millions of people will be on the highways over the Fourth of July weekend. Here are five things everyone should do to stay safe while traveling: Do not drink and drive. Buckle seat belts, observe speed limits. Pay full attention to the road – don’t use a cell phone to call or text. Use caution in work zones. Clean the vehicle’s lights and windows to help the driver see, especially at night. Turn the headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather. FIREWORKS SAFETY The best way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Here are five safety steps for people setting fireworks off at home: Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging. Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution. Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection. Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.” Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials. GRILLING SAFETY Every year people are injured while using charcoal or gas grills. Here are several steps to safely cook up treats for the backyard barbecue: Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Never grill indoors – not in the house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area. Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill. Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire. Use the long-handled tools specially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe. WATER SAFETY If your holiday plans include water fun, follow these tips to help stay safe: Do your part, be water smart! Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well. Adults: actively supervise children; stay within arm’s reach of young children and newer swimmers. And kids follow the rules. Don’t fool with a pool: fence it in. Enclose your pool and spa with four-sided, four-foot fencing and use self-closing, self-latching gates. Don’t just pack it; wear your U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket – always when on a boat and if in a situation beyond your skill level. Inflatable children’s toys and water wings can be fun, but they are no substitute for a life jacket and adult supervision. Swim as a pair near a lifeguard’s chair – everyone, including experienced swimmers, should swim with a buddy in areas protected by lifeguards. Reach or throw, don’t go! Know what to do to help someone in trouble, without endangering yourself; know how and when to call 9-1-1, and know CPR. Follow these general safety tips to ensure you and your loved ones enjoy the holiday under safe conditions. Even when practicing safety and care during your celebration, it is still possible for accidents to happen. If you or a loved one is injured due to the negligence of another, contact the Personal Injury Department at Young Wooldridge, LLP for a free initial consultation to learn your options.   

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