Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

Many serious injuries to minors and children occur to those who are least able to defend themselves: infants. Infants have few instincts to protect themselves and most homes contain enough dangers to cause everything from burn injuries to brain injuries and broken bones. You can prevent serious injuries in your home by baby-proofing your home. You can do this by:

1) Getting safety latches or locks for bathroom cabinets and kitchen drawers and cupboards. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that these are needed on any drawers and cupboards where you store household chemicals, small items, and sharp objects. Latches and locks can prevent poisonings and other injuries. Door locks and door knob covers are other important safety devices that can help prevent kinds from entering dangerous areas such as spas, saunas, and pools.

2) Install safety gates. These should be installed at the top and bottom of any stairs in your home, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Safety gates can help prevent falls. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests that parents look for the safety certification seal from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) on any safety gate they buy.

3) Install scalding controls. These controls for your faucets can prevent burn injuries from hot water.

4) Add window guards to all windows and safety netting below landings and decks. These devices can help prevent falls, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

5) Apply edge bumpers and corner bumpers to sharp edges on your furniture, walls, and fireplace. These can help prevent bumps and cuts. Many parents do not realize how sharp furniture can be for young arms and legs.

6) Install outlet covers and plates on all electrical outlets. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that these can help prevent electrocution.

Continue reading "Baby-Proofing Your Florida Home to Prevent Injuries to Minors and Children" »

While injuries to Florida minors and children are always tragic, injuries and accidents that occur to babies can be especially tragic. Since babies are so fragile, even minor accidents and injuries can have serious repercussions. Plus, since infants are not able to talk, injuries may go unnoticed and determining what is wrong can be challenging. It is not always possible to notice a brain injury or even a skin problem at once, which is why it is crucial to take children to see a medical professional if any injury has occurred. Once infants become more mobile, especially, their curiosity and desire to explore can lead them into dangerous situations. Parents can reduce infant injuries by:

1) Look at their homes from an infant’s perspective. Get down on your hands and kneed and you will quickly see the dangerous items within a child’s reach. Remove every fragile item that can be broken as well as anything that can be placed in the infant’s mouth and may cause a choking hazard. Check each room on your hands and knees, collecting small and potentially hazardous items. You will have to do this regularly, since some of the commonplace objects that can fall on the floor – including pens, buttons, and other items – can be dangerous for an infant.

2) Check your baby’s clothes. Not all clothes are safe. Any too-large item can pose a choking hazard if your infant struggles out of the clothing. No infant’s clothing should have drawstrings, headbands, ribbons, strips of fabric or loose strings – all can be dangerous, as can necklaces. Simple baby clothes are best.

3) Look for loose cords in your home. Any electrical, telephone and window-treatment cords should be tied up well out of baby’s reach.

4) Check you baby’s crib for safety. Stuffed toys, loose bedding, and pillows should not be kept in the crib. Once your child can sit up, remove bumper pads as well. The crib sides should be even with the footboard and headboard and the railings should be only 2 3/8 inches apart or less. Make sure that the mattress fits firmly in the crib and if a mattress cover is needed, choose one with a zipper. Make sure that the crib itself is newer and has not been recalled due to safety issues. Check with the manufacturer periodically to ensure that the crib has not been recalled. Make sure that the crib is well out of the way of windows, diaper bags, or mobiles.

5) Once your baby begins to crawl, he or she will try to pull himself or herself up by furniture. This is the time to remove tablecloths, hanging objects, and other dangers. Make sure that every piece of furniture is sturdy and attached to the wall. Lock any cupboards and closet doors that lead to storage areas that contain household chemicals and other dangerous goods. Be especially wary of televisions, which can easily tip over.

Continue reading "Accidents to Infants Are An Especially Tragic Type of Injury to Minors and Children" »

Many slip and fall accidents occur inside the home. For seniors, these accidents can lead to serious injury – including broken bones, head injuries, and spinal cord injury – and even death. Making a home safer is not difficult. Each room in a home represents different dangers and each room can be updated and made much safer.

Stairways, hallways, and pathways are high-traffic areas in a home and they can be also where many slip and fall accidents can occur. We tend to rush down stairs and hallways to try to get a ringing phone or we trip over items in the way. To make these areas of a home safer, ensure that there is good lighting available to ensure good visibility. On stairs, ensure that light switches are present at both the top and bottom of the stairs. This makes it easier to ensure that stairs are always well lit. Stairs should also have correctly installed handrails on both sides.

Clearly, stairways, hallways, and pathways need to be kept clear and clutter-free to help prevent tripping. Items such as low tables and small footstools should be removed from these areas. If these areas have carpets or rugs, these floor coverings should be fixed firmly to the floor to prevent slipping. Tile and wooden floors should be equipped with no-slip strips.

Bathrooms and powder rooms present a great deal of danger because these rooms often involve activities – such as bathing – which require someone to sit down and stand up. Also, the floors in these rooms can easily become wet. Renovate these rooms for safety by adding grab bars near toilets and on both the inside and outside of the tub and shower. This provides a secure way to get in and out of the tub and shower. Make sure that it is easy to get in and out of the shower – some bathroom kits involve baths that have shower attachments. Getting in and out of these showers/baths can be tricky, since it can involve stepping over a high bath edge. If you have one of these, consider switching to a regular shower and a regular bath. Make the bathroom floor safer with non-skid mats, strips, or carpets (that are firmly attached to the floor). Install a nigh light to make night-time trips to the bathroom safer.

The bedroom can also be a site of slip and fall accidents, since getting in and out of bed can lead to falls. It is best to ensure that there are light switches or other lights near the bed. That way, if you do need to get up in the middle of the night, you have the light o avoid falls. Also, place a telephone near the bed. If your blood pressure drops and you feel weak getting out of bed, you can call for help. Also, having the telephone by your bed will ensure that you do not have to rush for the phone when you are lying down.

In all rooms, furniture, cords, and flooring can pose dangers. You can minimize the danger by rerouting electric cords and telephone wires so they are near walls and away from areas where you walk. Make sure that all rugs and mats are attached firmly to the floor and do not “bulge out” in any area. Make sure that walking surfaces are even and flat. Any slipper flooring surfaces – such as wood, concrete, or tile – should have no-slip strips attached. Any low furniture should be moved out of walking areas. Taller pieces of furniture should be firmly attached to the walls so that they do not tip over.

Children are susceptible to choking because they often place small objects in their mouths. When these objects are swallowed, they can become lodged in the throat or windpipe, which blocks the flow of air. Choking cuts off oxygen to the brain, which makes it an emergency. Choking can lead to brain injury if the brain is depleted of oxygen long enough and it can also lead to death.

Most people who are choking will clutch their throat. Other signs of choking include:

1) Difficulty breathing or noisy breathing.
2) Inability to speak or cough.
3) Loss of consciousness.
4) Change of color of the skin, lips and nails. In someone who is choking, the skin, lips and nails may turn blue or dusky.

If someone is choking, perform the Heimlich maneuver to get the foreign object out of the victim’s windpipe or throat. If there is more than one person present, have one person call the emergency number on your area (or 911) while the other person performs the Heimlich maneuver. If you are the only person present, perform the Heimlich maneuver first and then call for help.

To perform the Heimlich maneuver:

1) Stand behind the victim who is choking. Place your arms around his or her waist. Gently tip the victim forward a little.
2) Make a fist and place the fist just a little above the person’s navel.
3) Take the fist into your other hand. Press hard into the victim’s abdomen. Use a quick, upward thrust to do this. It may help to pretend that you are using the same gesture you might use if you were trying to lift the victim up.
4) Repeat the upward thrust motion until the object in the mouth is dislodged. You will usually be able to tell because the object may expel from the victim’s mouth with some force.
5) Keep the victim calm and get them checked out by a doctor, if necessary.

If you are alone and you begin to choke, you may not be able to rely on anyone else to help you. In this situation, you will have to perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself. To do this:

Continue reading "Choking is a Key Injury to Minors and Children " »

Among the elderly living in Florida, slip and fall accidents constitute a major cause of personal injury. There are many reasons for this. Some seniors have conditions – such as heart disease or diabetes – that affect balance while others are taking medications that can lead to dizziness. Some have problems with hearing, sight, muscle strength, or osteoporosis – all of which can lead to falls or can make falls worse.

For the elderly, a simple slip and fall can result in brain injury, broken bones, fractured hips, spinal cord injury, and much more. Some falls are even fatal, so preventing falls is essential. There are many ways that serious slip and fall accidents can be prevented:

1) Anyone over age 60 should have a bone mineral density test. This can help your physician determine how fragile your bones are. If your bones are not strong, you are more likely to suffer serious problems if you do fall. Your doctor can recommend treatment or medication to build up your bones.

2) Have your hearing and vision tested on a regular basis. If you need hearing aids or glasses, give yourself time to get used to these devices and make sure that you wear them as prescribed. Good hearing and eyesight helps you walk more securely and ensures that you are aware of any dangers.

3) Exercise regularly. Speak to your physician about developing an exercise program and then stick with it. Exercise can help make you more flexible and can improve muscle tone. This makes you less likely to fall. Plus, regular exercise helps prevent osteoporosis, so that if you do fall, you are less likely to break a bone.

4) Drink less alcohol. Even small amounts of alcohol can make you more prone to falling.

5) Check your medication. Some medications can cause side effects – such as grogginess or dizziness – that can make you more likely to fall. If this is the case for your medication, talk to your doctor about ways to offset these side effects or ways that you can prevent falls.

Continue reading "Cutting the Risks of Florida Slip and Fall Accidents" »

Among teens, sport injuries are a serious problem. They can occur while playing team sports at a community center or while taking part in school activities. They can range from a simple bruise to a fractured limb to spinal cord injury and even fatal brain injury. Many sports-related personal injuries are quite preventable and are caused by factors such as improper training, lack of correct equipment, and rapid growth during the teen years (which can cause periodic awkwardness physically).

There are two types of sports injuries: acute traumatic injury and overuse injury. Overuse, or chronic injury, as it is sometimes known is caused by repetitive strain or training. Acute traumatic injuries are generally caused by a single blow from a force. Both types of injuries can lead to serious injury and ailments, but overuse injuries are the ones that tend to be misdiagnosed or under-treated the most, since athletes will often ignore minor, persistent pain.

Florida teens can prevent both types of sports injuries by:

1) Always wearing proper and correctly-fitted helmets for contact sports, biking, and in-line skating. Helmets are one of the best ways to prevent head injuries.

2) Men should wear athletic supporters, or a cup where appropriate, to protect the sex organs from injury. Women should wear supportive sports bras to help prevent injury to breast tissue.

3) Any swelling, numbness, pain, tenderness, stiffness, or loss of flexibility needs to be investigated by a good medical professional. Even if the symptom does not seem severe, the sooner it is diagnosed and treated, the easier treatment usually is. Any of these symptoms can suggest an overuse injury and simply ignoring the injury will not make it go away. Any unusual symptom or any accident or injury on the field should be reported to a doctor and to the coach – even if everything seems fine. Some ailments – including some forms of brain injury – may not manifest symptoms immediately, but can still prove dangerous.

4) Stop playing sports during an injury. Continuing to play while injured can complicate an injury and make it much worse. Seeing a doctor who specializes in sports medicine may be the best idea, as such a specialist can better estimate when it is appropriate to return to play. Returning to a sport too soon after an injury can lead to complications as well.

5) Know your limits. Play at the level of your experience and do not attempt to over-exert yourself. Always warm up adequately before practice and games. Never play beyond a pain limit. Once you start to feel pain, it is time to head to the bench or the locker room and maybe seek a physician’s opinion if the pain persists for a week. Overdoing it can cause serious injury to tissue, muscles, and ligaments.

Each year, many Florida residents are harmed by products that have been incorrectly designed, manufactured, or sold. Unfortunately, even when the case against a manufacturer or retailer is clear, injured plaintiffs – who may face burn injuries, head injuries, and a myriad of other serious personal injuries – may have a hard time proving their case. For a product liability case to succeed, it is important that a case involve:

1) A prompt investigation. It is important that any case involving a defective product be reported at once and investigated quickly, so that evidence as well as the defective can be preserved. Witnesses may not recall key details months after an incident, so it is important to speak to any witnesses soon after an injury. If the defective product is in the hands of someone else, a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction should be filed to ensure that the product is not altered or destroyed.

2) Thorough research. The complete history of a defective product should be investigated – including when it was purchased, where it was purchased, and who used or saw the product. Any written materials and instruction booklets that came with the product should be carefully looked over. It is important to research whether any changes or alterations were made to the product after it left the manufacturer and distributor. Research can also involve buying more of the same product to test it and use as evidence.

3) Contact federal agencies. A number of government agencies can assist in a product liability case. These include the U.S. Consumer Products Safety commission, the Injury Information Clearing House, The National Technical Information Service of the U. S. Department of Commerce, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Technical Information and Publications of the National Bureau of Standards, The Food and Drug Administration, the Bureau of Radiological Health, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, The Federal Highway Administration, The Transportation Research Board, The United States Coast Guard, the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Federal Fire Council. These agencies run their own tests on products, alert customers about unsafe products, set standards for safety, and publish information that can be useful in a products liability case.

4) Contact insurance organizations. A number of insurance organizations publish studies and information about safety. Organizations such as The Factory Mutual Engineering corporation, The American Insurance Association, The Applied Science and Technology Index, Engineering Index, the Science Citation Index, The National Safety Council, National Fire Protection Association, The Center for Auto Safety, the Transportation Safety Department of Calspan, the Highway Safety Research Institute, The Society of Automotive Engineers, American National Standards Institute, American Chemical Society, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Water Works Association, and the Manufacturing Chemist's Association are all good areas of research.

5) Contact experts who can testify about expected standards and safety measures. Running a literature search or contacting the local university will often yield the names of at least a few qualified experts.

Continue reading "Making the Most of Florida Product Liability Cases" »

Apnea literally translates as "without breath." As the name suggests, people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea momentarily stop breathing in their sleep. This causes their oxygen levels to drop, which in turn robs the brain and heart of the oxygen needed. Those who suffer from sleep apnea generally experience severe fatigue during the day, which can impair their ability to drive. In fact, some people who suffer from this ailment fall asleep for very short periods during the day, even while driving. Even when not asleep, someone with sleep apnea may suffer from impaired alertness, which can cause them to respond slowly to a traffic situation which may lead to an accident.

Anyone who drives with this condition is putting themselves, their passengers, and other drivers at risk for personal injury and even fatal injury. Trucking companies who do not screen their employees for sleep apnea are as reckless as drivers who get behind the wheel knowing that they suffer from this condition. Knowingly operating heavy machinery and vehicles with this condition can lead to injury and death.

Almost twenty million people suffer from sleep apnea. The condition is most likely to affect overweight middle-age men, although anyone can be affected. Currently, airline pilots are screened for the condition. Most truck drivers and all licensed private drivers are not. In addition, many with sleep apnea go undiagnosed for years. Worse, some trucking companies actively lobby for unsafe conditions, allowing drivers to receive only 8 hours of rest in every 24 hours so that fewer drivers can meet more schedules. Evern for drivers not suffering from sleep apnea, 8 hours of rest is not enough for safe driving.

Anyone who has not received enough rest – whether due to sleep apnea or other causes – is a hazard on the roads. Inadequate sleep can lead to severe fatigue, depression, sexual dysfunction, grogginess, loss of concentration, memory loss, and headaches. Over long periods of time, lack of good sleep can cause extreme fatigue, high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, and other ailments. In fact, some experts suggest that the loss of concentration and grogginess associated with lack of good sleep has similar effects on the body as excessive alcohol.

Sleep disorders have many symptoms. Excessive fatigue, snoring, or gasping for air while sleeping can all be symptoms of a sleep disorder and should be investigated promptly. Testing for a sleep disorder usually is quite simple – the patient will sleep overnight at a special facility while their muscle activity, breathing, blood pressure, heart, oxygen level, and periods of REM sleep are measured. If sleep apnea is diagnosed, the relatively simple treatment involves a small pump which ensures that air is passed through the airway while the patient sleeps. This simple treatment can help prevent many car accidents and fatalities. In sever cases, a thirty minute nasal surgery under local anesthetic can help correct the sleeping problem permanently.

Unfortunately, many drivers who know they are exhausted continue to get behind the wheel, and this causes much tragedy on Florida roads each year. If you or a loved one have been injured by a truck driver or car driver who fell asleep at the wheel, Florida law protects you. You can seek damages to replace your lost income and to get the medical treatment you deserve. At the same time, you can work to ensure that the unsafe driver does not harm others in the same way. If you have been injured in a car accident, contact a qualified Florida lawyer at once by calling 1- 800-535-2962 (1 800 5 FLAXMAN). Your initial consultation with our experienced Florida attorneys is at no cost and does not obligate you in any way.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that between December 30, 1987 and the end of 1991, more than 1033 deaths and 224,500 injuries could be attributed to ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles). In this time period, 40% victims were under 16 years of age. While the number of injuries related to three-wheeled ATVs decreased in this time period – largely because manufacturers stopped making these models – the number of injuries and fatalities from four-wheel ATVs experienced a 70% increase in the 1987 to 1991 time period. In 2004 alone, ATVs killed at least 130 children and injured over 44,000. That same year, serious ATV injuries requiring emergency room treatment numbered 136,100.

Legislators have spent some time trying to regulate ATVs, but with minimal success. Since ATVs are not considered cars, children can easily ride them, even unsupervised. In fact, most states do not even have laws requiring children wear a helmet when riding ATVs. Worse, most ATVs are operated on private property, which means that regulating use of these vehicles would be difficult, even if laws were in place.

ATVs are sometimes driven under the influence and at high speeds, and this only leads to more accidents. Florida residents love ATVs and sometimes operate them on very rough terrain, where the vehicles can easily overturn. To help prevent accident, manufacturers and the CPSC both recommend that riders use common sense, low speeds, and goggles and helmets when operating ATVs.

ATV injuries can be severe and even life-threatening. Many of the same injuries that customers experience in car accidents can also be experienced in an ATV crash. Victims of ATV accidents may experience burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken limbs, brain injuries, and other forms of trauma. Unfortunately, since many ATVs are ridden in remote locations or on private property, it sometimes takes more time for paramedics to arrive. If you operate an ATV, it might be a good idea to invest in a GPS device and a cell phone. Having this equipment with you at all times when you ride your ATV can ensure that you can seek help should you need it.

Another problem associated with ATVs is that there have been many recalls, stemming from unsafe products. Some ATVs have been found to be defective, and these defects have been linked to injuries and even deaths. Some models, for example, have been found to easily rollover, causing serious injury to the driver. If you own an ATV, you will want to check with your manufacturer regularly to ensure that your ATV model is not affected by a recall.

If you or a loved one have been injured by an ATV that is defective or have been injured due to poorly maintained property, Florida law protects you and ensures that you can seek assistance. A good Florida attorney can help ensure that you get the settlement you are entitled to, which can help you pay for excellent medical care. . If you need to speak to a Florida attorney, arrange a free, no-obligation consultation with a qualified Florida lawyer by calling 1- 800-535-2962 (1 800 5 FLAXMAN).

Researchers from the Center for Disease Control and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and have found that Alaska has an annual pilot fatality rate of 410/100,000 a year. This is the highest in the nation. The research conducted by the Center for Disease Control and the National Institute for Occupational Safety uncovered that the key factors leading to fatality in airplane crashes include post-crash fire, inclement weather, and non-Alaskan residency.

While Florida’s annual pilot fatality rate is lower than Alaska’s, airplane crashes are a concern in this state. Many of the findings from the Alaska research study can also help prevent fatalities and serious injuries – including burn injuries and spinal cord injuries – which are a factor in airplane crashes. According to the findings of the study, pilots and passengers can increase their chances of survival in a plan crash by:

1) Wearing shoulder belts. The research conducted by the Center for Disease Control and the National Institute for Occupational Safety found that pilots and passengers who wore shoulder belts or seat belts had a significantly higher chance of surviving a crash.

2) Flying in good conditions. The study found that those flying in daylight and in good visibility and good conditions increased their chances of survival. Although sudden weather changes cannot always be predicted, good weather helps the pilot land safely, even when a landing is unscheduled. Good weather and visibility also allows emergency personnel easier access to a crash site, which means that injures parties can be helped promptly.

3) Check airplane condition. Flying in aircraft that is well maintained and not overloaded is always safer.

4) Select experienced pilots. Ask your pilot about his or her expertise, flying experience, license, and certification. Pilots who are experienced with a specific terrain and area are more likely to notice problems earlier and are more likely to respond appropriately when problems arise. Flying early in the day can also be a way to stay safe, since pilots may be more rested early in the day than later, after a few flights.

The World Health Organization reports that injuries are the leading cause of preventable deaths among travelers. Each year, some Americans who travel internationally suffer from serious and even fatal injury. Car accidents are the most common cause of injury- related fatalities among US travelers, followed by homicide and drowning. Other common causes of injury to traveling Americans include natural disasters, civil unrest, terrorism, hate crimes against US nationals, slip and fall accidents, burn injuries, unintentional poisoning, drug or medication overdose, and suicide. Unfortunately, for US nationals traveling outside the country, ER rooms and emergency services vary widely and in some cases adequate care is simply not available, leading to complications.

Winter is a popular time to travel overseas. Many travel agents in Florida and other states offer January and February deals and many schools offer spring breaks, freeing families to travel. However, traveling overseas, especially to low-income countries, should be undertaken only with some precautions in mind. If you are planning a trip, make sure that you take these precautions into consideration:

1) Take care to avoid car accidents, the leading cause of fatal injuries among US citizens traveling abroad. Poor road conditions and unfamiliar terrain and rules can all contribute to car crashes. To prevent accidents, consider renting larger vehicles when traveling, as these offer additional protection in an accident. Always wear seatbelts in cars and helmets when on motorcycles, motorbikes, and bicycles. Take extra caution with taxis – choose only marked taxis with safety belts and tell the driver that you will provide an additional tip for driving in a manner you consider “safe.” Exercise extra caution when walking around, especially when crossing streets. Avoid excessive alcohol and avoid getting on buses that are overcrowded. If a vehicle looks unsafe, select another mode of transport.

2) Only swim in designated areas such as hotel pools and lakes clearly marked as safe for swimming. Never swim alone or while under the influence of alcohol. Measure the depth of the water before attempting a dive.

3) When staying at a hotel, determine the nearest fire exists to your room and ask about fire extinguishers in your room. In low-income countries, especially, building codes tend to be lax, which can lead to serious injury in the event of a fire. Consider booking a room on the first few floors of a hotel, so that you can escape in the event of a fire.

4) When traveling by plane, fly with recognizable, larger airline companies. Avoid unscheduled flights, small aircraft, night flights, and flights during bad weather.

5) Consider buying extra insurance – such as health and even evacuation insurance if you will be in a remote location without access to good medical care. If you are traveling to an area that requires this sort of extra precaution, think twice before taking part in any adventure activities such as rock climbing or skydiving. If the equipment is not safe and you are injured, you could face a long wait for adequate medical attention.

Among the elderly, bone fractures and even some spinal cord injuries are often the result of slip and fall accidents. In many cases, these accidents so easily cause injury because the victim’s bones are not in excellent shape. Healthy bones among the elderly do not prevent slip and fall accidents, but healthy bones can prevent serious personal injury in the event of a slip and fall accident.

Osteoporosis is a common condition that contributes to serious injury among the elderly. The disease makes bones thin and therefore more likely to break. For men and women with this condition, even a minor fall can lead to serious fractures. Luckily, there are many things that you can do to help prevent the disease and to strengthen your bones:

1) Eat enough calcium. If you are over age 50, you need 1,200 mg of calcium daily. Dairy products, orange juice, fortified cereals, dark green vegetables, sardines, salmon, soybeans, tofu, and almonds are all very good sources of calcium. If your diet does not include enough calcium, you may also want to speak to your doctor about a calcium supplement.

2) Eat enough Vitamin D. Vitamin D is important because it assists your body in absorbing calcium. Many younger people get their Vitamin D through exposure to sunlight, but eating foods rich in vitamin D (such as salmon, herring, and sardines) and taking supplements can be important if you spend much time indoors. If you are between ages 51 to 70, you need at least 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D each day. If you are over age 70, you need at least 600 IU daily.

3) Exercise. Half an hour of exercise a day can delay the onset of Osteoporosis and can make your bones stronger.

4) Maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. Smoking and drinking can reduce bone density, so you might want to eliminate these bad habits. Being underweight can also cause you to experience more bone fractures and more serious personal injury if you do fall.

If you are worried about your bone health and are fearful of falling, talk to your doctor about getting a bone density test to determine your bone health. After this test, your doctor may recommend treatment or prescription medication to safeguard your bone health.

At this time of year, many people opt to take advantage of off-season travel deals in order to take trips. While you may be traveling for pleasure, however, illness and injury can ruin your vacation and even endanger your life. There are many ways that you can avoid illness and injury while away from home:

1. Talk to your doctor and do your own travel research. Read about travel health risks at your destination and talk with your doctor about any vaccinations or medicine that you will need for your trip. Arrange to get all your shots, vaccinations and medicine in advance of your trip. Some treatments need to be taken ten days before you travel to be effective.

2. While traveling, wash your hands often with soap and water or a an alcohol-based hand gel that contains at least 60% alcohol. Washing your hands can help prevent salmonella and other ailments.

3. Watch out for food and water. Drink bottled water, carbonated drinks, or boiled water. Avoid open containers of drinks, tap water, fountains, and ice cubes -- these can cause food poisoning. Eat only food that is completely cooked and only fruits and vegetables you have peeled. Avoid eating anything or buying any food products from poultry farms, bird markets, and other areas where live birds are raised.

4. Bring insect repellent if you are traveling to an area with ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects that are known disease carriers.

5. Avoid some of the common causes of traveler injury. Car accidents are a leading cause of deaths among travelers, so always take care to drive only with experienced drivers you trust. Swimming-related accidents are also a common personal injury among travelers. Be cautious when boating, diving, or swimming. Make certain that you swim with a friend, avoid dangerous swimming areas, and check water depth and safety before diving in.

6. Avoid handling animals while on vacation. Dog bites and bites from other animals can pass on many diseases, including rabies.