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Avoiding Common Summer Personal Injuries

Avoid Common Summer Personal Injuries
Photo courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Memorial Day has come and gone again in Iowa. For most of us we like to think that Memorial Day is the unofficial kick-off of summer, even though summer doesn’t officially start until June 21st. During this time, a lot of us start heading to the lakes, grill out at parks, and start yard work. With these events brings the dreaded risks of injuries. Sometimes the fun gets cut short, or becomes restricted with injuries. At Carpenter Law Firm in Des Moines, Iowa, we want you to get the most out of the summer and if you follow our tips, we’ll be sure that you will have a fun and safe summer.

When you’re out doing yard work, you might be operating heavy, and potentially dangerous, machinery. While operating motorized equipment, go slow, avoid or limit alcohol consumption, and always wear protective eye wear.

As temperatures increase we tend to see more cases regarding motorcycle injuries. Motorcyclists and motocross riders should wear full protective gear in addition to their helmet. Bicyclists should always wear a helmet. Make sure that you have the proper lighting when you ride at night. You should have a light on the front and back of your bike. Reflective clothing should also be worn. Serious injuries can occur in an accident, but survival chances increase substantially when a helmet is worn. If you do get in an accident, Carpenter Law Firm has the expertise with motorcycle injuries.

Make sure to keep an eye on your children. “Trauma kills more children than all of the other causes of death of children combined,” says Dr. Jenkins. This is the time of year when storms can pop-up out of nowhere and bring severe lightning and rain. When you see what you think looks like a storm rolling in, bring your kids inside and keep them in until the storm passes.  Another big area of safety concern is bodies of water. During the summer there is an increase in drownings. Boating accidents can happen while you’re out on the water. Parents need to be especially aware of their children when they are by water. When you’re boating, make sure your child has a life jacket on at all times. There’s no right or wrong age to wear one. It should be on all of the time. Make sure you check the depth before jumping in, too. You may not know that you’re in a shallow area. There could also be debris beneath. We suggest easing your way into the water when you’re out on a lake.

It’s always important to go out and have fun, but safety should be one of your top priorities. There is nothing more sad than getting a call from someone and hearing what happened while they were outside enjoying the great Iowa weather.

If you or a loved one happens to get injured, contact us at Carpenter Law firm today. We specialize in personal injury cases as well as workers’ compensation law.