Summer Might be Winding Down, but Protecting Yourself from Common Summer Injuries is still essential

Although August is more than half over, there still is a nice portion of summer weather remaining. Families may still set out on long hiking trips at the Ozark National Forest, set out on a road trip to an amusement park or carnival, swim in nearby lakes or pools, or even attend a barbeque or picnic. Regardless of the activities you choose spend the rest of your summer doing, be sure to take adequate safety precautions and avoid unnecessary risks. While you should certainly enjoy your summer, you don’t want it to end early due to a serious or even fatal injury.

However, if you have become injured due to the negligence or recklessness of another person, contact the Law Practice of Ken Kieklak. Fayetteville AR personal injury lawyer Ken Kieklak has stood up for injured Arkansans and will fight to recover damages for you.

Burn injuries or explosions can cause life-altering injuries or death

While outdoor cooking equipment like a barbeque grill or smoker would seem to be the obvious cause of burn injuries, the reality is that it is not quite so simple. Engines and motors — regardless whether they are for a dirt bike, boat, Jet Ski, or lawnmower – can all become extremely hot after operation and cause severe burns. Likewise fireworks, firecrackers, bottle rockets, and sparklers can all lead to serious burns

However there is an additional source of burn injuries that is often overlooked: the red gas can that you may use to fuel your lawn tractor or other yard equipment.

According to reports by NBC and ABC affiliates, many of the red gas cans that are sold at large retailers lack a flame arrestor. A flame arrestor is a small wire or mesh screen or device that prevents heat or flame from entering into a gas can. When a heat source or flame enters the can, the fuel contained inside can ignite resulting in a flashback explosion. Accidents of this type are extremely serious and often fatal because the explosion can cover the individual in burning fuel.

Despite the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) 2013 recommendation that a flame arrestor be included in consumer-grade fuel tanks, many still do not. Gas can industry representatives from the Portable Fuel Container Manufacturers Association (PFCMA) state that it is premature to include these devices because, the group considers the conditions under which a flashback fire could occur to be extremely limited. The attorney for PFCMA states, “This is really only occurring in a laboratory environment… It’s not clear at all that what is occurring in the real world, in real life, is that gas cans are exploding.”

However, a flashback explosion has been proven to be possible under laboratory conditions. Whether those same conditions can arise in day to day life is unproven but a few simple precautions can eliminate certain types of risks. First, never use the gas can near an open flame. That means you should never use the gas can to pour fuel for use as an accelerant on a camp fire. Second, you should never use the cans near sources of heat. In this case, a lawnmower engine should be allowed to cool off fully prior to refueling the vehicle.

Take simple steps to prevent drowning and other aquatic injuries

Simply put, alcohol and water do not mix. Regardless of whether you are boating, swimming or wading alcohol should, ideally, not be consumed. Especially in the case of boating where people consume alcohol throughout the day in the sun, the accident and injuries can rival those of a car accident. Unfortunately there are the additional risks presented by the water below.

However alcohol is far from the only risk when enjoying water sports. It can be incredibly tempting to remove a life jacket for reasons of vanity or comfort. Children can be especially aggressive in their pestering regarding the life jacket sticking to their skin or making them uncomfortable. However it is important that adults put their foot down and protect the safety of their child or children. Therefore, parents should also have knowledge of CPR techniques like chest compressions.

If you are engaging in other aquatic activities, such as visiting a water park, and have suffered from an injury, allow the experienced Arkansas water park injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Ken Kieklak help you.

If you have been injured, put my experience to work for you

If you have suffered a serious or catastrophic injury in Arkansas due to the negligence or recklessness of another, the Bella Vista personal injury lawyers at the Law Practice of Ken Kieklak may be able to help. To schedule your free and confidential consultation, call (479) 316-0438 or contact us online.