By
Dina Steele on
July 29, 2010 -
A local man drowned recently while taking a tubing trip with friends down the Brazos River, according to a recent report in the Star-Telegram.
The twenty-one-year old and a group of his friends rented inner tubes from the Hillbilly Haven Campground near the Interstate 20 bridge. They had floated about a mile down the river when the young man fell off his inner tube and into the water. He was not wearing a life jacket at the time.
When the man did not come back up after falling off his inner tube, his friends contacted emergency personnel. The young man’s body was found approximately one hour later. Officials have not been able to determine why the young man didn’t resurface after entering the water. The water in that stretch of the river has not been unusually high or fast this summer.
This young man is the second one to drown while playing in the Brazos River this summer; the first, about a month earlier, was a young woman who drowned while swimming near the Horseshoe Bend area.
The water depth in the tubing portion of the Brazos River ranges from four inches to about ten feet. Because of the varying depths and the possibility of underwater hazards, officials urge anyone entering the river to wear life jackets, even if they are also floating on an inner tube.
River recreation poses several risks of drowning that may not be present in a lake or pool. The movement of the current can push swimmers into deeper water or pull them underwater. Hidden dangers such as rocks and tree branches can also trap a swimmer’s limbs or render him or her unconscious if a rock or branch strikes a swimmer on the head. If another person’s negligence is responsible for a person drowning, a Texas wrongful death attorney can help family members obtain compensation for loss of wages and other damages.
By
Dina Steele on
July 28, 2010 -
A recent gas leak in east Fort Worth led employees and patrons of a local business to evacuate while utility crews worked to stop the leak, according to a recent article in The Star-Telegram.
The gas leak occurred on Martin Street in Fort Worth, where multiple utility crews were working on a project. Fire department officials described the gas leak as quite large. The fire department helped the business closest to the site, located at Village Creek Road and U.S. 287, evacuate. The business was the only building that needed to be evacuated due to the leak.
Natural gas and water utility workers from Atmos Energy and the Fort Worth municipal water service managed to plug the leak approximately two hours after it began. The Fort Worth Fire Department credited the high winds brought in by a passing storm system with helping prevent further evacuations or damage. The winds dissipated the natural gas, preventing any major injury or property damage.
Broken or damaged natural gas lines may leak, and the buildup of natural gas in a building or outdoors in calm weather can cause illness, injury, and property damage. Natural gas is highly flammable and is also toxic to breathe. Regularly checking gas valves and gas-using appliances for leaks is one way to help prevent damage from occurring.
In its natural state, natural gas has no odor. The odor is added by utility companies to help warn home and business owners of the presence of the gas. If you smell natural gas in your home or business, help protect yourself and others by evacuating to a safe distance and calling 911 or the local fire department immediately.
By
Dina Steele on
July 7, 2010 -
Summer is a great time for family road trips. Unfortunately, highway driving poses risks. By following a few safety rules provided by the Texas Department of Transportation, you can help protect yourself and your family against the risk of a Texas auto accident.
- Obey the speed limit. On most Texas interstates, the maximum daytime speed limit is 70 miles an hour, and the nighttime speed limit is 65 miles an hour. To stay safe, remember that the speed limit is merely a guide to the fastest safe speed. Always adjust your speed to accommodate the road conditions. If it’s raining or there is heavy traffic or road construction, slow down to keep yourself and your passengers safe.
- Keep right. Some Texas multi-lane highways have signs reading “Left Lane for Passing Only.” When you see such a sign, remember that the left lane is not a “fast” lane, and stay out of it unless you are passing another vehicle. Once you’ve passed and moved a safe distance from the other vehicle, merge back into the right lane.
- Move over. If you see a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights flashing, move at least one lane away from the emergency vehicle. If you cannot move over, slow down until you are traveling at least 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit. Texas law states you may be fined up to $200 if you fail to slow down or move over for a stopped emergency vehicle.
Although observing traffic safety rules can both prevent costly traffic tickets and reduce the risk of an accident, there is always a chance another driver may collide with you while you’re on the highway. Stay safe this summer!
By
Dina Steele on
July 2, 2010 -
With Fourth of July celebrations already in full-swing, Dallas residents must remember to be safe around legal fireworks and other potentially dangerous objects. A new study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reveals that fireworks-related incidents were responsible for two deaths in 2009 and approximately 9,000 emergency room visits for injuries. According to the CPSC, throughout the 30 days near last year’s holiday, about 6,000 injuries involving fireworks were reported in which half of the injuries related to firecrackers, bottle rockets, and sparklers.
Consumers below the age of 20 are the most prone to fireworks injuries; however, the risk of serious injury or even death still exists for anyone within close proximity of fireworks or other pyrotechnics. Some common fireworks injuries and hazards include:
- Loss of limbs
- Burn injury to the hands, face and head
- Lacerations
- Residential fires
- Wrongful death
Parental supervision is essential when legal fireworks are being used. Never allow young children to set-off or play with fireworks or other gadgets. It is also important to never throw or point fireworks at another individual. To learn more about how you can help prevent serious injuries related to fireworks this Fourth of July holiday, please refer to the CPSC’s website for consumer fireworks safety tips.
While this weekend is a time for celebration in Texas, the importance of consumer safety cannot be stressed enough during the Independence Day holiday. Take every necessary safety measure to protect yourself and others.
