18 May 2012

Smoking Is A Major Cause Of Fatal Fires

According to one recent survey there are nearly fifty million smokers in the United States. Setting aside the health risks this poses to the smoker and his or her family – the sheer number of fires that are started from careless smoking or careless disposal of the ashes or butts is astonishing.

“According to the American Burn Association, about 900 people in the United States die each year in fires started by cigarettes, and about 2,500 are injured. About 100 of the fire deaths each year are children and nonsmokers. Nationally, annual human and property costs of fires caused by careless smoking total about $6 billion. In 1997, there were more than 130,000 cigarette related fires”.

 

Some recent examples of the magnitude of damage that can be wrought from improperly disposed of cigarettes include a case in Richmond, Virginia in 2004 when it was determined that cigarette butts tossed in a jammed trash chute sparked a fire that destroyed 26 buildings and caused $20 million in damage and in January 2001, a motorist driving along Interstate 8 in San Diego County flicked a cigarette butt onto the center median, sparking a fire that eventually burned more than 10,000 acres, destroyed 16 homes and charred 64 vehicles.

 

Smoking is a personal choice – although we are a nation in which that choice is becoming more restricted when it imposes on the rights of those who do not wish to be exposed to cigarette smoke.

 

If you do choose to smoke – remember that cigarettes are nothing more than ‘sticks of fire’ that can destroy homes and lives – discard them carefully.

Greg Baumgartner is a Texas personal injury attorney and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping personal injury victims seek civil justice. If you would like to speak with an accident lawyer in Texas call the Baumgartner firm.

 

13 May 2012

Burns From Microwaves

One of the greatest inventions of modern man is the microwave oven. It has literally changed the cooking and eating habits of nearly every American in the country. We use it for everything from heating baby bottles to popping popcorn and warming up frozen meals to warming up socks and mittens. Indeed, if the word ‘miracle’ discovery could be applied to anything – it definitely fits the microwave oven.

 

Unfortunately, though, there are too many instances of burn injuries caused by the improper handling of items coming out of the microwave. Because there is no visible flame and the microwave itself does not emit heat – we often don’t stop to think that the item we put into the over for the exact purpose of heating it up is hot. Too, the dish we may have put a food item on can also retain heat and burn. And, if the food item is covered then steam may be released when the cover is removed and pose an additional burn hazard.

 

In fact, one study found that “nearly half (45%) of the microwave oven injuries seen at emergency rooms in 2009 were scalds and thirty-one percent of the scald burns and 14% of all microwave oven related injuries were scald burns incurred by children under five years of age”.

 

In short, “microwave ovens are one of the leading home products associated with scald burn injuries not related to fires”.

 

Use your microwave with the same caution that you use other appliances.

 

Greg Baumgartner is a Houston child injury attorney and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping personal injury victims seek civil justice. If you would like to speak with a child injury lawyer in Houston call the Baumgartner firm.

08 May 2012

Burns to Children

Children are more susceptible to burns at home than any other age group – probably because they are naturally curious but lack the understanding of potential dangers. Practice safety first when it comes to your child and devices that can cause a burn.

 

*Do not use real candles when young children are around. Children are naturally attracted to the flickering flame and aromatic smell. Use electric candles instead.

 

*Do not leave lighters, lighter fluid, matches or other ignitable materials within reach of children. They cannot help their curiosity.

*Do not leave children unattended in the kitchen or bathroom (or anywhere for that matter). More burn injuries result from hot dishes and scalding water than many other hazards.

 

*Make it a habit to use the back burners on a stove when cooking and ALWAYS turn the handles towards the wall and away from a child’s reach.

 

*Do not leave curling irons and hot rollers within reach of a child. I have seen adults who have been burned by these appliances and they should know better. A child cannot tell if something is hot simply by looking at it.

 

*Do not use electric blankets or free standing heaters with children. If they are cold – put on another sweater and turn up the heat.

 

Greg Baumgartner is a  Houston child injury attorney and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, a Texas personal injury law firm dedicated to helping families of people injured or killed in accidents. For a free no obligation consultation with a child accident lawyer in Houston call the Baumgartner law firm at 281-587-1111.

30 Apr 2012

Types of Burn Injury

 

 

A serious burn can happen many different ways, fire, heat, electricity, hot liquids or steam can cause a serious burn and even chemicals can cause burns.

 

There are three different types of burns depending on their level of severity.  The first-degree burn is the more minor of the Burns and usually causes only damage to the outermost layer of skin.

 

A second-degree burn can damage not only the outer layer of skin but also the next layer underneath.

 

A third-degree burn is the most serious of Burns and damages not only the skin but also the tissue underneath.

 

One of the concerns for burn injury, particularly with respect to second and third degree burns is infection.  Typically antibiotic creams are used to treat or prevent infection from a burn.

 

Third degree burns can be fatal and can take extensive rehab to treat.  Skin grafting can be a very lengthy process that is difficult and painful for the burn victim and can also be tough on families of burn victims.  Costs of skin grafting and treatment of serious burn injuries can easily top hundreds of thousands of dollars.

 

Greg Baumgartner is a burn lawyer and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, a Texas personal injury law firm dedicated to helping families of people injured or killed in accidents. For a free no obligation consultation with a burn victim attorney call the Baumgartner law firm at 281-587-1111.

25 Apr 2012

Shriners Hospitals For Children

 


My father was a Shriner and was very proud on the day he got his thirty year pin.  One of the reasons for his pride was that the organization provides incredible support and care for children.  Most people know that the Shriners hospitals have been leaders in the burn care treatment and have been helping burn victims and their families for over fifty years now. Texas has one of the best hospitals in the country in Galveston.

 

While the Shriners are known for burn treatment for children they handle a variety of children’s healthcare issues in addition to burns and burn victims treatment.  Not only do they provide treatment and rehabilitative services they also provide social, educational and transitional services to help victims get back into society.

 

The Shriners organization not only helps each community they serve but also raises substantial money for the Shriners hospitals.  Many people particularly those from smaller communities throughout the United States are familiar with the Shriners parades and also there Christmas tree sales and other fundraisers for children’s health.

 

I urge everyone to donate to the Shriners hospitals because it is one of the best ways to help children in need that I know.  To those Shriners who work diligently year in and year out for the greater good of children in America- I say thank you.

 

Greg Baumgartner is a burn injury attorney and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping personal injury victims seek civil justice. If you would like to speak with a burn attorney call the Baumgartner firm.

15 Apr 2012

Burn Injury Statistics

According to fire prevention experts, at least fifty percent of the estimated 2 and a half million burn injuries every year that occur in the U.S. are preventable – and if THAT’s not surprising then the statistics that follow will likely give pause.

 

*One out of every thirteen building fires is caused by a child.

 

*Children playing with/matches account for more than one-third of preschool child burn injury deaths by fire.

 

*Of the burn injuries incurred by Americans – over 600,000 require medical attention and 75,000 require hospitalization. Twenty thousand people suffer burn injuries over one-fourth of their bodies and death by burn injury may claim anywhere from 8 – 12,000 people annually.

 

*Burn injuries rival vehicle accidents in the cause of fatalities.

 

*The majority of burn injuries (for everyone from infants to adults and even seniors) at home occur in the kitchen followed by the bathroom.

 

*Burn injury and fires are the most common causes of accidental types of death in the U.S. home for children fourteen years of age and under and the third leading cause of accidental death entirely, for adults.

 

*People aged sixty and older are again at increased risk of a number of burn injuries including those that occur when falling asleep while smoking, lighting the furnace and scalding.

Greg Baumgartner is a Texas burn injury lawyer and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, a Texas personal injury law firm dedicated to helping families of people injured or killed in accidents. For a free no obligation consultation with a burn accident lawyer call the Baumgartner law firm at 281-587-1111.

11 Apr 2012

Complications from Burns

There are approximately 1 and a quarter million burn injuries annually in the U.S. of which 45,000 persons are hospitalized and 4500 die. There are numerous complications that may set in as a result of a burn injury – more so than nearly any other type of physical trauma. Let us consider some of these in this article.

 

Skin is the largest human organ and is designed to protect everything inside the human body while allowing us a sense of touch and regulating our body temperature. Burn injuries disrupt the process and affect everything contained within the skin including sweat glands, hair follicles and even nerve endings. If an individual experiences a burn injury they may further realize fluid and electrolyte loss or hypovolemia, hypothermia, renal failure, acidosis or the formation of eschar which are dry, dark scabs and/or the falling off dead skin.

 

Other factors that may come into play with complications from burn injuries include age and overall health before the accident, whether or not the individual suffered respiratory injuries in addition to the burns, and (obviously) the extent of the burn injuries themselves.

 

But the most persistently dangerous complications are secondary infections. These may include pneumonia, or other infections that result from thermal injuries that lead to immunosuppression thereby predisposing the burn patient to additional problems. Burn patients are also at risk for developing sepsis secondary to pneumonia, catheter-related infections, and suppurative thrombophlebitis.

Greg Baumgartner is a Texas burn injury lawyer and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, a Texas personal injury law firm dedicated to helping families of people injured or killed in accidents. For a free no obligation consultation with a fire accident lawyer call the Baumgartner law firm at 281-587-1111.

05 Apr 2012

500000 Burn Injuries Annually in US

There are over half a million burn injuries in the United States annually. Other statistics related to burn injuries include:

 

Survival Rate:  96.1%

Gender:  70% male, 30% female

Ethnicity:  60% Caucasian, 19% African-American, 15% Hispanic, 6% Other

Admission (to burn centers) Cause:  44% fire/flame, 33% scald, 9% contact, 4% electrical, 3% chemical, 7% other

Place of Occurrence:  68% home, 10% occupational, 7% street/highway, 15% other

The fact that clearly two-thirds (some organizations place this figure much higher) of all burn injuries occur at home prompts me to offer a few reminders about fire safety around the house.

 

*Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and burn injuries. The following advice should prevent a cooking fire (1):

 

*Keep appliances clean, and wipe surfaces after spills. Clean stove surfaces and ovens regularly.

*Wear tight-fitting sleeves, or roll them up when cooking

*Keep flammable objects, including pot holders, dish towels and curtains, at least three feet away from the stove.

*Wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, and all other solid-fueled heating equipment needs to be inspected annually by a professional and cleaned accordingly.

*Assure microwaves have enough room to breathe, that all the vents are cleared of obstructions.

*If there is a microwave fire, keep the door closed and unplug the microwave. Make sure to have the microwave oven serviced before you use it again.

*If there is an oven fire, keep the door closed and turn off the heat. If the fire doesn’t go out immediately, call the fire department.

*The simplest way to fight a grease fire is to carefully slide a lid over the pan. Turn off the burner, don’t move the pan, and keep the lid on until the pan cools completely. Baking Soda may also be used to suffocate the fire. NEVER PUT WATER ON A GREASE FIRE.

 

Greg Baumgartner is a burn injury lawyer and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping personal injury victims seek civil justice. If you would like to speak with a fire accident attorney call the Baumgartner firm.

29 Mar 2012

Third Degree Burns

Third degree burns are the most severe on the burn scale. A person that suffers a third degree burn will have experienced a trauma that has destroyed the outer layer of skin or epidermis and the entire layer underneath or the dermis.

Third degree burns can be caused by direct flame, an electrical or chemical source or other hot object coming in direct contact with the skin. Oddly enough, persons who have third degree burns may not realize it because the nerve endings designed to protect and warn have literally been burned off. Third degree burns tend to heal very slowly and new skin may not even grow because the hair follicles and epidermis are destroyed.

 

There are several factors that must be taken into consideration with regard to treating third degree burns including age, medical history and overall condition of the victim’s health besides the burn, cause and location of the burn, and tolerance for various medications, etc.

 

Treatments may include any of the following options singularly or in a varied combination:

 

•early cleaning and debriding or removing dead skin and tissue from the burned area

•intravenous (IV) fluids which will contain electrolytes

•antibiotics by intravenous (IV) or by mouth or both

•antibiotic ointments and creams

•a warm, humid environment for the burn

•nutritional supplements and a high-protein diet

•pain medications

•skin grafting which may be required to achieve closure of the wounded area

•functional and cosmetic reconstruction

The cost to treat serious burn injuries can be staggering.  If you or a loved one have been badly burned because someone else has been negligent call a burn accident lawyer at the Houston burn injury law firm for a free consultation.

20 Mar 2012

Pipeline Explosions

According to energy experts natural gas has had a good safety record until recently and transporting gasoline through underground pipelines is the safest way to move that form of energy. Tell that to the people in several neighborhoods over the past year who experienced devastating explosions of natural gas in their neighborhoods that leveled homes and claimed lives.

 

For the most part we do not dwell on the fact that traversing in elaborate pipelines below our streets and homes are a number of substances including water and natural gas. It is designed to come directly into our homes and generally makes our lives easier, more efficient, better.

 

However, experts go on to say that about every ten days somewhere in the United States a person is injured or killed because of these pipelines! Consider the following four incidents that occurred over only a couple months last year.

 

*In California a natural gas pipe exploded destroying 38 homes and killing nine people.

*A pipeline explosion in Pennsylvania led to multiple wrongful deaths and the evacuation of five hundred people – as well as damaging nearly fifty buildings.

*A malfunctioning gas pipeline filled a number of homes with gas in a northeastern Ohio suburb.

*A furniture store exploded in Michigan claiming two lives and seriously injuring the owner.

 

We must acknowledge and act upon the reality that we are all potential victims of an aging infrastructure that will require updating very soon to ensure the safety of communities across the country.

 

A balance must be struck by our use of energy and protecting our communities from unreasonable risks.

Greg Baumgartner is a Houston explosion attorney and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, a Texas personal injury law firm dedicated to helping families of people injured or killed in accidents. For a free no obligation consultation with a Texas wrongful death attorney call the Baumgartner law firm at toll free at 1-866-758-4529.