Now is a great time to review safety procedures for walking to and from school:

1) Set up a walking system for younger children. Younger children can walk to school with older students attending the same school. This offers additional supervision and ensures that children will not be walking without some help. This is especially important for younger children, who may not be used to crossing the street alone.

2) Review the school route. Even with older children, take a long walk to school from your home. This gives you a sense of how distracted your children are when walking to school and allows you to gauge how safe or unsafe the school route is. Busy intersections, secluded areas, and poorly-designed crosswalks are all danger areas. You may want to develop a new route together or go over some safety rules for the more dangerous areas.

3) Set up a “no distraction” rule. Distracted walking can be as dangerous as distracted driving. Encourage your children to avoid texting, talking on their cell phone, or listening to music when walking to school. If they are distracted, students are less likely to see and anticipate possible problems on the road, making them more at risk.

4) Make sure visibility is good. Make sure that students can see around them. Avoid having your children walk through parking lots or areas with lots of street traffic, as trying to cross these areas blocks off their view of oncoming traffic. Also, ensure that your child’s back to school wardrobe does not hamper mobility or visibility. Large hats, hoodies, dark glasses, and other clothing items can affect visibility.

5) Go over your child’s schedule for the upcoming year and arrange a ride or drive for late-night school activities. Walking home in the dark means even worse visibility as well as a host of new dangers. If your child must walk home after dark, at least ensure that he or she walks with a group of friends and is visible to motorists.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), between 2000 and 2005, 19% of school bus accidents were in fact pedestrian accidents in which pedestrians were killed. In about 4% of cases, school bus drivers were the victims of these pedestrian school bus accidents and in about 5% of cases, school bus passengers were the victims. In about 70% of school bus accidents, fatalities occurred to occupants of other vehicles (rather than the school bus itself).

According to The National Safety Council, parents should teach their children these school bus safety rules before the start of the school year:

1) When waiting for the school bus, students should stay away from traffic and should avoid playing around. Sometimes, students get pushed into the street during games while waiting for the school bus and this can easily lead to a Florida car accident. Students should also avoid straying onto private property, streets, or alleys while waiting for the bus.

2) When boarding the bus, students should line up away from the road and should wait until the school bus has made a complete stop and has opened its doors before approaching the vehicle. Teach younger children to use the handrail when entering the school bus.

3) When on the bus, students should sit down and remain quiet. Standing can cause serious injuries if the bus is in an accident. Each year, Florida brain injuries occur during school bus accidents because students were standing or were not seated during a collision. It’s important that students avoid distracting the bus driver as well. Many Florida bus accidents are caused by distracted drivers. When riding the bus, students should keep aisles clear. In the event of an accident, clear aisles make it easier to exit the bus.

4) When exiting the bus, students should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before using the handrails to exit the bus. Students should stay well away from the bus and the wheels of the bus.

5) One of the most dangerous situations when exiting the bus is crossing a street after getting off the bus. This is the situation in which most Florida pedestrian accidents involving schoolchildren take place. Although cars are required by law to stop when they see a school bus, not all drivers do this. If your child has to cross a street after disembarking from a bus, teach your child to walk ten feet in front of the bus and then turn around and wait from a signal from the driver before crossing. Students should obey driver signals and keep an eye out for traffic while crossing the street.

Today, any new products containing asbestos must clearly state this fact on the label. However, any products made before the 1970s usually have no such warning labels. As well, for thousands of Florida residents, it is already too late for labels: they have been exposed to asbestos and are now suffering the health effects of that earlier exposure. This is because the effects of asbestos can take decades to appear.

Asbestos fibers are so small they can often not be seen by the naked eye. When asbestos fibers are disturbed, they become airborne and can be inhaled. Once inhaled, the fibers gather and remain in the lungs. Eventually, this accumulation can lead to mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the abdominal and chest linings. Asbestos exposure can also lead to asbestosis, a potentially fatal scarring of the links. The more someone is exposed to asbestos, the more likely they are to get one of these diseases.

Asbestos exposure is often a Florida workers compensation problem as well, since asbestos exposure often takes place on the job. In some cases, not enough consideration or investigation takes place before a construction project, leading to the disturbance of asbestos fibers and therefore asbestos exposure.

People who have been exposed to asbestos and have developed asbestosis or mesothelioma can often seek the help of a Florida personal injury attorney in order to get the financial assistance and compensation they are entitled to under the law. A Florida personal injury attorney can help ensure that you have the financial resources and ability to seek the best medical care possible in order to have the best chances of recovery. However, asbestos cases can be challenging, simply because it takes years before symptoms develop. Proving when and how asbestos exposure took place often requires a very talented Florida personal injury attorney.

1) Heat-related incidents. Alcohol is a diuretic and can dehydrate you. As well, it can impact your judgment and can make it harder for you to tell when you may be displaying signs of heat exhaustion. It is important to stay hydrated, remain in the shade, and avoid excessive alcohol consumption on hot days.

2) Drunk driving accidents. Florida drunk driving accidents claim many lives but are very preventable. If you know you will be drinking, make plans ahead of time for getting home. Designate a driver or leave some money in your wallet for a taxi or for public transportation. There are simply no excuses for drunk driving.

3) Boating accidents. Many Florida boating accidents are caused at least partly by alcohol consumption. According to the US Coast guard, 276 injuries nationwide and 124 boating fatalities in 2008 were caused by alcohol use. Never allow alcohol on board your watercraft and never boat after drinking.

4) Slip and fall accidents. Alcohol affects your motor skills, especially if you have an existing medical condition or are on medications that interact with alcohol. Alcohol use can cause you to fall over, which can lead to broken bones or even brain injuries if you fall on pavement.

5) Workplace accidents. Drinking on the job leads to workplace accidents each year in Florida. Unfortunately, alcohol consumption on the job can affect your eligibility for Florida workers compensation benefits and can get you into legal trouble at work. If you work in a dangerous environment, alcohol can be dangerous for you and your coworkers.

Many Florida workers compensation claims, for example, are made due to eye injuries sustained at work. If you work near any eye hazards, speak with an industrial hygienist or your supervisors to find out which eye protection could be best for you. If you wear contacts or eye glasses, you will need to be especially careful. Contact lenses provide no protection and can still allow eyes to be injured by dust, gases, vapors, fumes, and other hazards. If you need corrective lenses, you will need eye protection which contains prescription lenses or you will need eye protection which fits over your prescription glasses.

In the workplace, there are several types of eye protection. For jobs with low risk of eye injuries, you can choose spectacles that have side-shields. Goggles are available for riskier jobs and provide more protection. When selecting eye protection, look for eyewear that is flexible enough to allow for a customized fit. As well, look for eye protection that covers a larger area and offers protection at the sides, top, and bottom as well as over part of your face. If you work near sparks or other dangers that are high risk, look for hooded ventilation, which protects the entire face area as well as the eye area. Helmets and face shields designed for welding offer the highest protection against eye injuries for the riskiest jobs.

Even when you are not at work, the risk of eye injuries remains high. In fact, about four out of ten Florida eye injuries occur in the home. The riskiest activities include: do-it-yourself projects, cooking, sports, cleaning or gardening with chemicals, and yard work. For household use, look for eye protection appropriate for the task. Your local sports store can help you find eye protection for your favorite sports while your local Florida hardware store can usually recommend safety eyewear for DIY projects at home.

If you do sustain an eye injury, get medical help at once. Often, if you can get medical attention quickly, you have a greater chance of saving the eye. If the eye injury is serious or you are at risk of losing your eye, call 911. Emergency operators in Florida can often help you manage your eye injury while you wait for emergency help to arrive.

However, while we hear much about distracted driving, the truth is that distractions can be a danger in many situations. Many Florida motorcycle accidents, for example, are caused by motorcyclists who are distracted by cell phones or other devices. Even Florida bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents can be the result when pedestrians and bicyclists get distracted. There are many ways that distractions can lead to accidents – even outside of your car:

1) Texting while doing just about anything. These is no doubt that texting is absorbing which is why it is so dangerous. Texting requires you to look down at your mobile device, making you unaware of what is going on around you. Whether you are cruising on your bike or walking down the street, texting can lead to an accident.

2) Wearing headphones. Most cars have some radio or CD player, so most drivers never think of headphones. However, plenty of pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders, joggers, and boaters tune into music while out and about, and this can easily lead to Florida pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, and other accidents. Headphones affect your ability to hear important clues around you – like that truck about to back up – making you vulnerable to injury.

3) Getting emotional. One of the biggest distracters possible isn’t the latest gadget or device – it’s in you right now. Strong emotions – whether anger or helpless laughing – make you notice less of what is going on around you and can be just as distracting as texting. When your blood is high, it’s best not to run or hop on that bicycle. Take the time to clear your mind first.

4) Bluetooth. Many people are embracing hands-free technology in the belief that it is less distracting. While it’s true that hands-free cell phones and devices at least leave your hands free, they are still a distraction. If you are bicycling in Miami while listening to the latest gossip, you could still be in a Florida pedestrian accident – simply because you are listening to your conversation rather than watching what is in front of you.

While bicycling can mean a greener mode of transport and better health, however, it can also mean bicycle accidents. In Florida, bicycle accidents claim many lives each year and cause serious injuries. In fact, many Florida spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and other serious injuries each year are caused by bicycle accidents in Hollywood, Miami, and other Florida cities and towns.

Florida brain injuries are a common injury sustained in bicycle accidents. According to researchers, about 80% of all bicycle accident fatalities are caused by brain injuries. In p to two-thirds of patients admitted to hospital after a bicycle accident, the cause of injury is a brain injury. Patients admitted to hospital with brain injuries following a bicycle accident are 20 times more likely to die when compared with bicycle accident victims who have sustained other types of injuries.

Most bicycle accidents involving brain injuries occur during daylight and at times of heavy traffic. In most cases, these accidents occur at intersections. Since Florida cities, such as Hollywood and Miami, tend to have high traffic areas, bicycle accidents are an especial concern in the state.

Florida car accidents involving a bicyclist are especially serious. When a car and bicycle collide, the initial impact affects the lower limbs of the bicyclist as well as the bicycle. The bicyclist is generally thrown, and the head of the bicyclist can collide with the car at 25 km/h. In most cases, the bicyclist’s head collides with the windshield, the hood, or the pillars that support the windshield. If the bicyclist collides with the car at speeds of 55 km/h or more, the bicyclist will be thrown over the car and may sustain a secondary brain injury when thrown to the ground.

However, brain injuries are among the easiest injuries to prevent in Florida bicycle accidents. US researchers have found that about 23% of bicyclists who have sustained fatal injuries in a bicycle accident were intoxicated at the time of the accident. Some research has suggested that wearing a good helmet can help reduce the risk of serious brain injury in a bicycle accident by as much as 45%. Some studies suggest that helmets can help prevent the risk of brain injury by as much as 85%.

According to the National Safety Council and The American Canoe Association, there are several things Florida kayakers and canoe enthusiasts can do to stay safe in the water:

1) It is best to travel with at least three boating buddies and two canoes or kayaks. This helps ensure that if you run into trouble, there is another craft to help you – as well as others who can get help.

2) Learn boating skills before you head out in the water. Since canoes and kayaks do not make use of engines or motors and since paddlers can head out on calm waters, some mistakenly believe that there are no dangers. Tragically, some people even allow their children to kayak or canoe alone, believing that the quiet activity is safe. Even still waters can contain high waters, rocks, and other dangers. As well, quiet waters can quickly become fast-moving streams that can overwhelm an inexperienced boater. Florida offers many boating classes for kayakers and canoe enthusiasts as well as other types of boaters. These classes can help you boat safely, no matter what type of craft you choose.

3) Even experienced boaters can run into trouble on new waterways. It is always important to familiarize yourself thoroughly with a body of water before you attempt to take your craft out on it.

4) Determine your comfort level and skill level before heading out in the water. Even if you are a seasoned kayaker, a whitewater rafting adventure in a remote area may be too much for you. Stick with your comfort level and build your skill level gradually before taking on new challenges.

5) Wear the correct safety gear. If you are on whitewater rapids or fast-moving streams, you may need a helmet. Many Florida head injuries caused by boating accidents take place because a patient was not wearing adequate head protection. Good safety gear can help prevent many accidents. Whether you kayak or canoe, wear your life jacket each time you head out on the water.

Barbecue grills can cause burn injuries and other serious injuries two ways: by igniting a home or by causing direct burns. To prevent your grill from starting a fire, make sure to keep your barbeque at least ten feet away from eaves, siding, and any flammable areas (such as trees or bushes). Never use a fire pit, grill, or barbeque in an enclosed area, such as a garage.

A well-maintained and correctly working barbeque is less likely to cause burn injuries than a fault one, so before each use, check your barbecue over carefully. Check for leaks in the connections and hoses and ensure that there are no blockages in the venturi tubes where air and gas mix. Make sure that your propane tank is filled correctly (not overfilled) and free of leaks. Use a tank that has a three-pronged valve, as this protects you from overfilling your propane tank.

Keep in mind that even if your barbecue does not start a fire, it still is a burn hazard each time it is lit. Use the right starter fluid for your barbecue and avoid adding more fluid once the barbecue is lit. Avoid loose-fitting clothes when barbecuing, as these can easily catch on fire. Protect yourself with implements and tongs designed for the barbecue and stand clear of your barbeque when cooking. Avoid having any children near your grill, barbecue or fire pot. The edges of these items can get hot enough to severely burn a child in just one minute. Even a child just brushing past a closed grill can sustain serious burn injuries.

In addition to grill and barbecue burn injuries, many children and adults each year are severely burned by fireworks in Florida. While Florida’s waterways and backyards are often tempting settings for fireworks, and while it is relatively easy to obtain fireworks in Florida, these items are just not safe. All experts and medical doctors agree that it is safest to leave fireworks to professionals. Many children and adults sustain serious eye injuries, burn injuries, and other injuries from fireworks each year. Many Florida head injuries are also caused by fireworks. This is one form of summer entertainment that is safest left to the professionals.

1) Treat minor Florida burns without the butter. Although butter is sometimes touted as a home remedy for burns, butter can add bacteria to the affected area. Most doctors agree that if it is a minor burn, run cold water over the affected area for at least ten minutes, then use an antibiotic ointment from your pharmacy. If the burn hurts, use a cloth bandage and a dry, cold compress, like a bag of frozen vegetables. If you cannot feel the area at all or if the burn seems severe or covers a large area, visit an emergency room. You may have a more serious burn injury.

2) For nosebleeds, pinch your nose just below where your glasses sit. Hold the pinch for ten minutes and then check to see if the nosebleed has stopped. Frequent nosebleeds could be a symptom of something more serious and warrant a visit to your family doctor.

3) For cuts and scrapes, wash the area well using simple soap and water and wrap lightly with a bandage. You can also use an antibiotic cream. If the wound will not stop bleeding, you need medical attention.

4) If you have something embedded in your skin or flesh, consider before you pull it out. Something like a splinter can be safely pulled out. Larger objects such as barbs, fish hooks, nails, thorns, and anything larger needs a visit to the emergency room. As well, any metal object requires an ER visit, since you may need a tetanus shot.

5) If you sprain or twist something, check for swelling. If there is swelling, apply an ice pack or cold compress. Visit a doctor if the swelling lasts a few days or if you cannot walk. Many Florida slip and fall accidents occur during the summer months, so it makes sense to keep an ice pack or a bag of veggies in the freezer for just these sorts of emergencies.

6) If you get a bee sting, use a credit card to scrape out the stinger. Avoid squeezing the area, as this may just push more venom into the system. If you are bit by a tick, use tweezers to remove the tick from the skin. With all bug bites, watch for breathing troubles. These indicate a serious and potentially fatal allergic reaction and require a quick 911 call.

According to authorities, most Florida boating accidents are caused by operator distraction, negligence, passenger behavior, speeding, and DUI. Just as in Florida drunk driving car accidents, alcohol contributes to far too many boating accidents in the area. Some experts believe that as many as 21% of all fatal boating accidents are caused at least in part by alcohol consumption.

Boaters may also want to brush up on their skills and boat operation training. According to experts, about three quarters of all fatal boating accidents are caused by operators who lack any formal boating training. Classes are widely available and many are quite affordable, so there is no excuse for ignorance. Life jacket use is also always essential when boating. Statistics show that in most boating accidents, drowning causes the most fatalities. In 90% of these fatalities, life jackets were not worn, making these fatalities very preventable. Life jackets should always be correctly worn whenever near the water.

A good pre-boating check can help prevent many Florida boating accidents. Before getting in a boat, ensure that you have enough life jackets for everyone and insist that everyone wear a life jacket at all times. Check weather and marine temperatures before leaving and avoid boating in poor weather. Just as with Florida car accidents, weather plays a key role in many local boating accidents. Rough weather can cause huge waves, rough seas, and poor visibility.

Before heading out in the water, check all equipment to make sure it is in good shape. Have your boat checked and maintained regularly by a qualified professional. The better your boat operates, the better it will respond in bad conditions. A well-tuned boat can mean the difference between surviving an emergency situation and not. Also, before heading out in the water, make sure that all passengers have good swimming ability. Since drowning is the leading cause of fatalities in boating accidents, strong swimming skills can help prevent tragedy.

1) Do not assume a product is safe. Parents should check for recalled items regularly. Some very popular and widely available toys are recalled each year, and this always tends to catch parents and kids off-guard. Register toys and electronic gadgets when you buy them – to be altered about warnings and recalls – and check the CPSC site regularly for recalls. Even if a product is not recalled, check its condition and use your common sense. A product may not be recalled but may still have unsafe sharp edges. A small child chewing on a toy may make that toy unsafe.

2) Ensure that children have correct safety gear for in-line skate shoes, scooters, skateboards, and in-line skates. Helmets, elbow pads and knee pads can help prevent many of the injuries emergency rooms see each summer. The CPSC notes that up to 90% of bicycle accident fatalities can be prevented with proper use of a helmet. Each year, thousands of Florida brain injuries are caused by bicyclists not wearing helmets correctly. Do not let this happen to your child.

3) Use trampolines with caution. Each year, trampoline-related injuries cause broken bones, paralysis, and neck and head injuries. Make sure that you get an approved trampoline and use it according to the directions. Never allow small children or unsupervised children to play on a trampoline.

4) Check playground equipment carefully before allowing children to play on it. Poor ground cover can cause broken bones in a playground while loose clothing can pose a choking hazard on slides and monkey bars. Some playgrounds have toxic surfaces. As well, some unanchored playground equipment, such as soccer goals, can tip and injure children. Less serious injuries can also happen on playgrounds. Each year, thousands of minor Florida burn injuries are caused when children touch or come into contact with hot metal surfaces on the playground.

5) Secure windows with window guards. Children playing in a separate room can easily fall through a window without this precaution.

6) If you purchase small mini-hammocks for your children, make sure that they have a spreader bar. Models without this bar can entrap children and cause suffocation.

Florida thunderstorms can cause many types of injuries. Hail can cause head injuries as well as bruising during a thunderstorm. Driving through a serious storm can also easily lead to car accidents, due to the poor visibility that blinding rain can cause. Many Florida car accidents each year are caused by bad weather and by storms.

In addition to these risks, Florida thunderstorms can also lead to lightning strikes. Lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from a rainfall area, so even if you do not think that you are close to a storm, lightning can still affect you. Fast-moving thunderstorms, especially, tend to create surprising lightning strikes. Slow-moving Florida thunderstorms, on the other hand, have a different risk: flash flooding. Flash flooding occurs when dry creek beds or slow streams suddenly become filled with rushing water from a thunderstorm. Flash floods can cause a danger on roadways and can even carry people away. In addition, severe thunderstorms may also bring tornadoes as well as strong straight line winds. Both can damage buildings and trees, potentially causing injuries to those indoors.

If there is a thunderstorm in your area, it is a good idea to seek out shelter at once. Listen to updates about the storms on your local radio or television station. A battery-operated or hand-crank weather radio is a good investment, as it will allow you to get emergency information and updates even if a storm knocks out your power. Follow directions you hear about seeking shelter.

If you hear thunder during a thunderstorm, you are likely close enough for lightning to reach you. In general, the smaller the waiting time between a strike of lightning and the sound of thunder, the closer the storm is to you. If you can count to at least thirty between lightning and thunder, you are roughly 15 miles away from the storm and should be relatively safe. If the storm is any closer, remain indoors and do not allow children to play outside.

During a thunderstorm, it is important to avoid taking a bath or shower. It is also important to not talk on corded phones. This is because electricity can work its way to you through telephone lines and metal plumbing pipes if your home is struck by lightning. If you are outdoors during a thunderstorm and need to seek shelter, avoid low-lying areas and any areas close to metal poles or trees. Squat low to the ground to avoid getting struck. Get away from any metal objects, such as golf carts or bicycles.

1) Heat-related illness. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are a common problem in children, who tend to play outside in hot weather and may not take breaks for water. It is important to supervise children and take frequent rests for water or fruit juice drinks. Playing in a shaded area can also help.

2) Burn injuries. Many summertime Florida burn injuries involving children are caused by children touching hot playground equipment (such as slides) or other hot surfaces. Many sunburn injuries involving children are also reported each year. It is a good idea to apply sunscreen liberally and frequently and to test playground surfaces before letting children play on them.

3) Pool related injuries. Florida pool injuries are quite common, no doubt because many families have pools and many children head to public pools to cool down on hot summer days. If you have your own pool, it is important to keep it enclosed with a fence and self-closing, self-latching gate. Teach your children to swim at age four, so that they have the swimming skills to prevent drowning. Do not allow your children to swim in unsupervised swimming holes.

4) Insect bites. Small children can easily suffer from serious bites, which can quickly get infected. It is important to check daily for bites and ticks if your children play outdoors. Insect repellant can also be a useful way to help prevent bug bites.

5) Lawnmower injuries. Each summer, Florida children suffer from injuries caused by lawnmowers. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents to now allow children younger than 12 years of age to operate a walk-behind mower and advises parents not to allow children than 16 years of age on a ride-on mower.

6) Head injuries. Many Florida head injuries each summer are caused by children who do not wear correct protective gear when bicycling, skateboarding, riding a scooter, or using heelys. Children should be outfitted with a quality helmet when engaging in any of these activities.

Florida’s weather does not help. With temperatures that can reach the 90s or even the 100s, the strong Florida summer creates an unusual level of warmth that can mean a real health risk. Emergency rooms in Miami, Hollywood, and other Florida communities prepare themselves each summer for an influx of patients with heat-related health problems. Experts advise that friends and family check on elderly loved ones more often in the summer, to check for signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Ensuring that an elderly loved one stays cool and drinks plenty of water can help prevent some heat-related illnesses.

In addition to heat-related illnesses, there are other risks for seniors in the summer as well. According to experts, incidents of food poisoning increase in the summer, as food takes less time to spoil in the heat. As well, dehydration is also a risk for seniors, who may not drink adequate amounts of water, especially if they have trouble remembering to drink or if they have mobility problems.

Other risks to Florida’s seniors include burn injuries. Many Florida burn injuries each summer are caused by people touching surfaces which have been heated greatly by the sun. Belt buckles in a hot car, metal arm rests on a chair left in the sun – all of these can cause burn injuries. Since the elderly tend to have thinner, more fragile skin, these burns can be more serious. As well, some elderly patients are vulnerable to infection from skin irritation, due to underlying health problems.

Cooling off in a pool can be a great way to cool off in the hot Florida sun. Cool water on the skin, according to experts, is a more effective way to cool down in hot temperatures than an electric fan. However, pool areas can easily pose many hazards for an elderly person. Florida slip and fall accidents are very common near pools, for example, where water from the pool can make the ground surface slippery. Hampered mobility can make seniors more vulnerable to these types of accidents. As well, experts advise that the elderly can be more susceptible to bacteria, parasites, and other dangers which can be caught from a communal swimming pool. Most experts recommend close supervision and a shower after swimming in a public pool.