We rely on electronic devices to wake us up, share the weather, get us to our destination, and more. Whether you use phones, GPS, voice-activated personal assistants, or other devices, however, these devices can cause injury.
Each year, residents of Hollywood and South Florida are injured by electronic devices or are the victims of identity theft or fraud because their devices are targeted. Here’s how you can reduce your risk:
In Hollywood and Florida, pools are a big part of summertime. From community pools to pools in our backyards, water is a big part of staying cool, staying active, and enjoying the sunshine of southern Florida. While splashing around and having a swim is great exercise and can be lots of fun, pools do pose a considerable risk, especially for children. Children have a fascination with water and have less developed swimming skills, which can make them especially prone to pool injuries and drownings.
For homeowners, too, pools can mean Hollywood premises liability claims, injuries to neighboring children, trespassing, and other worries. Fortunately, there are several ways you can keep your pool and your children safe:
Inflatable pools are a popular choice for many families. They are small enough to fit into many yards and do not come with the larger installation costs of in-ground pools. Inflatable pools range from large pools which are closer to in-ground versions to shallow kiddie pools.
While these swimming options can be a fun way to swim in your Hollywood home, however, they are not without risks. Many pool drownings and injuries in Hollywood and across Florida are linked to inflatable swimming pools. In fact, across the country, one child sustains a fatal injury in an inflatable pool on average every five days during the summer season.
If you are planning on vacationing this summer, you may want to make money from your property rather than allowing it to sit empty. There are many websites which allow you to rent out your home for months or even just a night.
While home rentals seem simple, however, they might expose you to premises liability claims in Homestead or your community. Tenants can be injured on your property, can stumble onto neighboring property and cause damage there, or can end up causing losses on your property through negligence. If this happens, would you be covered? If a tenant were injured, would you need more insurance than you currently have?
Florida is famous for its beautiful palm trees and green spaces. Many homes in Hollywood have trees growing nearby and many property owners enjoy having trees on their property. After all, these additions to a yard offer shade on hot summer days and can make a property more attractive and valuable. Trees also help clean the air.
While healthy trees are a great addition to a yard, they can become a problem. What happens inf a neighbor plants a tree which blocks your view? What happens when a tree is located at a property line? What happens if a palm tips over and causes damage on your property? These issues are quite common and lead to many disputes and claims.
Americans own 78 million dogs, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, and about 4.5 million people across the country are bitten by dogs each year. According to studies, last year more people in Florida were bit by a dog when compared with Texas and California residents.
There are several things you can do to help prevent dog attacks:
Hollywood and South Florida in general are wonderful spots for gardeners. Many beautiful plants grow naturally in this warm climate and gardens of sage, palm trees, fruits and vegetables, herbs, magnolias, beautyberries, grasses, cypress and more. The warmth and sunshine is a dream for growing any kind of garden.
Whether you garden yourself or hire a landscape professional, Hollywood’s climate allows you to plant a beautiful space of flowering plants, a rock garden, an exotic blooms garden or anything else you desire. However, while gardening can be a healthful activity, it can also lead to injuries and even fatalities. If you work in the garden, you will want to take precautions to stay safe.
Airbnb and short-term rentals have become popular in Hollywood, Miami, and other parts of Florida. Unfortunately, there have been cases where guests or hosts are injured in these accommodations. When you are traveling and injured, it can be difficult to know where to turn.
Preventing Injury
If you are a guest, make sure you understand what to do to stay safe. Unlike hotels, short-term rentals are not regulated to the same extent as hotels. This means that rentals may lack smoke detectors, secure doors and windows, fire extinguishers, and other safety measures. Some rental units even have unsafe conditions. Guests have been injured falling from unsecured balconies or have suffered serious problems after being seriously injured.
You use batteries every day in your mobile devices, electronics, and maybe even your car. Disposable and rechargeable batteries supply the energy for many of the items you use every day and when these devices work correctly, you probably never think about them.
Unfortunately, battery-related injuries occur more often than you may think and they can be devastating. Each year, people are injured or even killed by exploding or otherwise malfunctioning batteries. Batteries that overheat or catch fire can cause serious burns and facial injuries if the batteries are in your phone or e-cigarette. Incorrectly functioning batteries in your car can cause you to crash. In your home, poorly designed or flawed batteries can cause fires and serious injury to you and others.
Of course, many of us know that drunk driving or speeding can lead to a serious car accident in Hollywood or our communities. But many of us engage in simple habits that increase our risk of injury.
If you have any of these habits, for instance, they may well increase your risk of an injury:
Florida Injury Lawyer Blog