Bounce House Hazards; Special Alert to Parents

A 2009 memo from the Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC") estimated that there were over 31,000 emergency department treated injuries associated with inflatable bounce houses in between 2003 and 2007 in the U.S.- that's over 17 trips to the emergency room a day.

The CPSC's memo also revealed that during that same period there were four reported deaths, most of which involved someone falling off or out of the inflatable and then hitting their head on the hard pavement nearby.

Now as summer vacations get underway parents will undoubtedly be hosting or taking their children to birthday parties or gatherings with inflatable bounce houses.  While these bounce houses look soft, safe, and fun for children of almost any age the CPSC's data tell a different story, and  a recent article in the Washington Post revealed several shocking stories of how improperly staked bounce houses have been blown across city streets, swept away by wind gusts, or toppled by excessive weight.

Before letting your child enter a bounce house or other inflatable jumping device make sure to check that:

1. The inflatable is properly secured and staked; 
2. The inflatable is not over crowded with children;
3. The inflatable is not tattered, worn or patched; 
4. Your child is never unattended and someone is always watching the inflatable; and
5. The air flow from the motor to the inflatable is not obstructed. 

Distracted Driving: A Test

Studies have shown that we're bad multi-taskers. The same research has also shown that we think we're good multi-taskers.  Unfortunately, when our confidence to multi-task translates into getting behind a car wheel and picking up a cell phone we become dangerous multi-taskers. This is because when we drive and talk on our cell-phones a variety of manual, visual, and more importantly, cognitive distractions impair our ability to do either task well.

Take this test to see how well you pay attention in a distracting environment.  

Tornadoes and Severe Weather Damage Waco area

According to local news reports golf-ball sized hail, torrential rains, strong winds, and tornadoes pounded Waco, Texas and surrounding areas including Lacy Lakeview, Mart, and China Spring on Tuesday evening.

Here is a link to a Tornado Safety Guide published by the National Weather Service which includes a discussion on how to recognize the signs of a tornado before it's too late to react.

If you or a loved one have been affected by severe weather you may want to consider following these steps (most of which are adapted from the Tornado Safety Guide) which are essentially the same as those for persons involved in car crashes:

1. Safety First.  Always make sure you and your family are safe. If you are in a secure building remain inside in an interior room away from windows until you can confirm that it is safe to leave your shelter.   If you or a loved one is injured seek immediate medical attention. Watch for power lines -they may still be carrying high voltage, and be mindful for broken glass and debris on the ground. Do not use matches or lighters because they may spark natural gas that is in the air from ruptured lines.

2. Wait for Emergency Personnel to Arrive. In Waco or McLennan County you may find information about emergency services here.

3.  Document any Damage to Your Property.  If you are able you will want to start securing your personal property and your home to prevent further damage and documenting what property is damaged.

4. Contact Your Insurance.  As soon as you are able contact your insurance company.  During severe weather situations insurance companies often get over-whelmed with phone calls and claims which means that any delay in presenting your claim may delay any necessary repairs.  Unfortunately, some insurance companies do not always agree to cover all of the damage that is caused by severe weather.  Sometimes this is due to a limit or exclusion in the policy and sometimes it is due to an insurance company acting in bad faith.  If you have questions about how your insurance company is handling your claim you should consider contacting a trial attorney who specializes in consumer and insurance law.