5 Must-Have Activities on Your Spring Cleaning Checklist

Multiple aspects of your home should be checked each year during spring cleaning. For example, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors, and smoke detectors should be inspected and, when necessary, replaced. Failing to inspect or replace these items can be a disaster waiting to happen, so it is vital to include this activity on your spring cleaning checklist. It is also essential to check for product recalls on some of these items. The following tips can help you determine what to look for and when to replace everyday household items.

1. Check your smoke detectors: The U.S. Fire Administration recommends testing them once per month and replacing the batteries twice per year. There are different types of smoke detectors, so always check your manufacturer’s instructions before making any repairs.

2. Inspect carbon monoxide detectors: If your home has fuel-burning appliances, it should be equipped with multiple carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is an invisible and odorless gas that can kill you within minutes. The National Fire Protection Association recommends installing detectors on each floor of your home and within 15 feet of fuel-burning appliances to reduce the chances of false alarms. You should ensure these alarms are clear of dust and debris. Replace batteries or ensure the detectors are plugged into wall sockets.

3. Inspect fire extinguishers: Depending on your home's size, you may need more than one. However, fire extinguishers can expire or deteriorate due to wear and tear. They must be checked regularly to ensure they have not expired. Inspect the pressure gauges and look for rips and tears in the hose and nozzle. The needle on the pressure gauge should be in the green area.

4. Replace first-aid kit items: Every home needs one. Unfortunately, items in this kit can expire and must be replaced periodically. You should also check for any missing items in the first aid kit. Any excess or expired medications should be tossed.

5. Replace dirty air filters: Check and replace them during your spring cleaning. Dirty air filters can become clogged with allergens and other particles that may be harmful to your health. It can also lower the spike in blood pressure you may experience after seeing your first electricity bill during the summer months.

Should You Check These Household Items for Product Recalls?

Always check for recalls on these products. For example, manufacturing defects can render smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors useless. Last year, Kidde recalled its combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms due to a defect that prevented the devices from working. Check the manufacturer name and model, then enter them on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website.

The Top 5 Most Costly Auto Insurance Policy Mistakes

It is easy to make mistakes while setting up your auto insurance policy. Insurance agents may try to steer you away from plans that provide the best coverage to lower your premium and win your business from competitors. Contracts also contain language and terms that you may find confusing. As a result, you may be unaware of exactly how you will be covered in the event you need to use your insurance after an accident. The following five examples are common policy mistakes.

1. Not including PIP: Although personal injury protection (PIP) is mandatory in Texas, you can sign a waiver to opt out. An insurance agent may entice you with lower monthly payments at the expense of signing away PIP coverage. PIP covers lost income, funeral expenses, and medical expenses after an accident.

2. Neglecting UM/UIM coverage: Always ensure you have UM/UIM coverage. It covers physical or property damage in the event an uninsured or underinsured motorist hits you. This coverage can pay for medical bills, lost wages, disfigurement, partial or permanent disability. If you lack UM/UIM coverage, you can only receive the maximum amount covered by the at-fault driver’s policy (if they have one).

3. Not knowing who is covered: Make sure you know in advance who is covered under your policy. If you allow other family members to use your vehicle, make sure they are listed as permissive drivers on your policy. This way, if they are involved in an auto accident, they are covered.

4. Buying the minimum required amount: Your auto insurance policy is the one thing you do not want to be frugal with, as it can come back to haunt you later. Texas law requires a minimum liability limit of $30,000. As personal injury attorneys, we can tell you from experience that this is nowhere near enough to pay for the medical bills and lost income associated with a catastrophic injury.

5. Not researching your policy: While you can review it beforehand, it may help to have an expert walk you through the details. Insurance contracts use confusing language on purpose. Know what you are getting into before signing your policy contract.

Mike Love & Associates, LLC, Can Review Your Auto Insurance Policy

Insurance agents do not have your best interests in mind. They are in the business of making money for their company, not ensuring you have what you need after an accident. Mike Love & Associates, LLC will review your policy at no cost. We can help you determine whether you have adequate coverage. It is better to know how you are covered before you need to use insurance.

Lawn Mower Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs

Last week, our blog discussed how cleaning products can be misused with tragic results. There are additional spring cleaning tips that are necessary for staying safe. Lawn mowers can cause catastrophic injuries or death, sometimes without any warning. According to statistics collected by the Academy of Pediatrics, lawn mowers injure 68,000 people every year. More than 9,400 of those injuries involve children. Common lawn mower injuries to children include lacerations, amputations and fractures.It is a matter of vital importance to keep your children inside while mowing the lawn, and to ensure children they are old enough to use this equipment.

Why Should You Keep Children Inside While Mowing the Lawn?

There are several ways children can be injured while parents are mowing the lawn. For example, parents may fail to see their children are in the path of the mower. Last year, a Houston man accidently backed over his 4-year-old son’s foot while mowing the lawn. The boy was treated at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital for a lacerated foot. According to the father, he was unaware his son was in the path of the lawn mower.Children can also run behind or in front of lawn mowers while they are in use. In addition, lawn mower blades can strike rocks or other objects, turning them into high-speed projectiles.

What Other Tips Can Protect Your Children from Lawn Mower Injuries?

Keeping your children inside while you are mowing the lawn is the best surefire way to prevent injuries. However, experts with organizations like the Academy of Pediatrics have other tips that may help keep your children safe.The Academy of Pediatrics has the following suggestions:

• Children under 12 years old should never use push or “walk-behind” mowers
• Children under 16 years old should not use riding lawn mowers
• Parents should never allow their children to be passengers on riding lawn mowers

It is also important to carefully check your surroundings when mowing the lawn. You will not be able to hear children approaching from the side or behind while mowing. If you are going to put the mower in reverse, look behind you beforehand.You should also stay informed of possible recalls. Some lawn and brush mowers may have defects. For example, the Pro-XL-44 field and brush mower has a fuel tank malfunction that may release gasoline liquid or vapors this is a fire hazard.You can check the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website for more information on lawn or brush mower recalls. If you or a family member were injured by a defective lawn care product, you may have legal options to pursue damages against the manufacturer or retailer. The Texas product liability attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC can help you weigh possible options.

Can Spring Cleaning Mistakes Endanger Your Safety?

If you plan to do some spring cleaning in the next few weeks, it is essential to avoid mistakes that could endanger your safety. When cleaning products are misused, chemical reactions can occur. Some of these chemical reactions may result in serious injury or death. The following examples are common spring cleaning mistakes people make with these products.

Never Mix Bleach with Other Cleaning Products

Bleach is effective at what it is designed to do: clean and sterilize surfaces. However, it can cause hazardous chemical reactions when combined with other products. Chlorine gas is produced when bleach is mixed with acidic products. This is a common mistake people make when cleaning toilet bowls. They will purchase a toilet bowl cleaner containing acid and then mix it with bleach. Another common mistake is to mix drain cleaners from different brands. Mixed, this may also create chlorine gas. Chlorine gas irritates the mucus membranes. Low levels of exposure can cause coughing, breathing problems, and watery eyes. High levels of exposure can lead to vomiting, chemical burns, severe chest pain, pneumonia, and death. Acidic cleaning products include vinegar, drain cleaners, window cleaners (some but not all) and drain cleaners. Chloramines are produced when bleach is mixed with ammonia. These are toxic vapors that cause coughing fits, nausea, wheezing, shortness of breath, and pneumonia. If you are cleaning with rubbing alcohol, do not also clean with bleach. Rubbing alcohol and bleach react to form chloroform and hydrochloric acid when mixed. In large enough quantities, chloroform vapors can cause dizziness and irritation. Hydrochloric acid is a corrosive substance that may cause chemical burns. The Centers for Disease Control recommends avoiding bleach products in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. Only mix bleach products with water and your own hard work ethic.

Are There Other Dangerous Cleaning Products?

It is essential to keep cleaning products out of reach of children. If you plan to do some spring cleaning, be sure to keep these products out of reach. For example, drain cleaners containing sulfuric acid can cause severe chemical burns and disfigurement when they come into contact with soft tissue. Many of these products are uniformly fatal when ingested. Although some websites claim these products should be kept on a high shelf, that is hogwash. Keep these products in a high area in a locked cabinet or large toolbox. Children can climb counters, and they may not understand why these products are dangerous. Make sure your children can not see how you unlock these cabinets or toolboxes. Never leave cleaning products unattended. The Texas personal injury attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC are committed to serving the community by promoting safety.

Truck Accident Causes 4: Health Conditions & Truck Crashes

Several health conditions may cause commercial drivers to crash their trucks. Although multiple conditions have been identified, truckers are not always screened. Some health problems have become hotly debated topics among lawmakers and transportation safety officials. The following conditions in this blog are common among the population, including commercial truck drivers. However, some of the conditions mentioned in this blog can be screened for and are treatable. Screening for and treating these conditions may prevent commercial truck accidents.

Can Sleep Apnea Cause Commercial Truck Accidents?

Last year, a study conducted by Harvard University discovered that truckers with sleep apnea had crash rates five times higher than truck drivers without the condition. This health condition causes interruptions in breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnea may not realize they have the condition. They may experience excessive daytime drowsiness and difficulty concentrating. In some cases, they may doze off without warning. These are clearly a dangerous combination of symptoms for people operating vehicles that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and lawmakers have discussed screening commercial drivers for this condition. Sleep apnea is common in the population, but it is also treatable. If truckers were treated, they could reduce their risk of crashes. A “sleep apnea screening rule” is currently in limbo. Harvard University claims 20 percent of truck accidents are caused by drowsy driving. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that causes drowsiness. It is a known public risk, yet we still lack a screening rule.

Can Other Health Conditions Cause Truckers to Crash?

Other conditions may increase the risk of crashing. Another study conducted by the University of Utah School of Medicine found that truck drivers with poor overall health are more likely to be involved in accidents. Researchers combed through the medical records of almost 50,000 truckers and discovered drivers with conditions like heart disease, lower back pain, and diabetes were more likely to crash. Drivers with all three conditions were at the greatest risk. Crash rates involving injury among all truck drivers were 29 per 100 million miles travelled. For those with three of the health conditions, the crash rate was 93 per 100 million miles.

Are Commercial Truckers Screened for Health Conditions?

Commercial truckers operating vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds in interstate commerce must undergo Department of Transportation health examinations, as certain conditions disqualify drivers. After passing the examination, truckers receive a medical certification that remains valid for two years. Driver qualification files (also called DQ files) contain the health records of truckers. Trucking companies may request these files before hiring drivers. There are cases in which trucking should, or is required to, request that truckers obtain new medical certificates. As is well known, trucking companies do not always comply with federal or state regulations. People injured in truck accidents, or their family members should consult with an attorney to explore possible legal options against trucking companies. The Texas truck accident attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC are dedicated to helping people harmed by negligent business practices.