Right before the holiday weekend, several Connecticut beaches were closed due to high bacteria levels detected in the water. After ongoing testing, these beaches eventually reopened one by one, allowing swimmers back into the water as acceptable readings were finally reached.

On July 11, the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) released a report that stated there were no beaches closed due to high bacteria levels, encouraging residents to get back out into the water. However, only one day later, two beaches in Bridgeport closed again for poor water quality, with swimming areas in Waterbury following days after.

 

CT Beaches Are Getting Worse!

This summer, Connecticut residents have had an extremely hard time finding beaches deemed safe to swim in on a regular basis. High bacteria levels are constantly prohibiting swimmers from enjoying local swimming areas and causing a great deal of frustration for residents, particularly when the temperatures are high. The cleanliness of our water has been a serious health concern for years and the high rate of beach closures this season alone is not proving that conditions are getting any better.

 

Why CT Beaches Close

Beach closures in Connecticut are determined by DEEP based on water testing results that reveal levels of indicator bacteria in the water…also known as fecal contamination. As disturbing as it sounds, bacteria from fecal matter is constantly breeding in the water we swim in but is not always at a concentration which would cause significant health risks. DEEP begins testing for these bacteria levels the week prior to Memorial Day to monitor safe swimming conditions throughout the summer, ending after Labor Day weekend, while municipal beaches are tested by local health departments to determine safe bacteria levels.

In a 2016 report published by Save the Sound, several Connecticut beaches showed increased bacteria levels just from the previous year. Findings also showed contaminated waters were directly linked to the surrounding communities, listing the most common reasons for water contamination as:

Heavy rainfall is one of the biggest culprits for elevating bacteria levels, sweeping massive amounts of untreated waste and pollution straight into lakes, rivers, and oceans. Beach closures are common after heavy rainfalls since the bacteria has not yet dispersed throughout the body of water, which is why most Connecticut beaches have swimming advisories after storms.

 

Other Reasons For Beach Closings

Fecal contamination is not the only health threat to swimmers in Connecticut. DEEP, local health departments, and coastal health officials also monitor invasive species and ocean debris that could cause significant health risks to beachgoers:

 

Health Risks of Dirty Water

Temperatures in Connecticut have reached above 90 degrees frequently this summer and temptations have been high to ignore swimming advisories on local beaches. However, swimming in waters with high bacteria levels can be extremely dangerous, especially for at-risk populations, and can result in acquiring some downright unpleasant illnesses in return.

The most common beach related illness highlighted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is gastroenteritis. Symptoms of this condition include:

Other minor illnesses could include infections in the ear, nose, and throat. People with weakened immune systems such as children, the elderly, and pregnant women may be at a higher risk of harm if contracting bacteria from dirty water. Swimmers who have open wounds are also at risk of developing infections that could result in a severe or even fatal illness.

How To Detect Poor Water Quality

To determine if your local beach is safe to swim in before your beach day,  DEEP provides an updated State Swimming Area Water Quality Report showing residents which beaches are open or closed and for what reason. Save the Sound also provides a Sound Health Explorer showing bacteria levels and beach quality reports dating back to 2004.

If you’re already at the beach and you’re just not sure about the water, the Better Health Channel suggests looking for signs of poor water quality and following these safety precautions before taking a risky swim:

 

Fighting Against Beach Illnesses in CT

It is up to city, state, and coastal officials to appropriately monitor the water quality in Connecticut swimming areas and report to the public if there are elevated health risks. If you or a loved one has suffered a serious beach illness caused by a body of water that was deemed ‘safe to swim’, Jacobs & Wallace is here to fight for you. Contact our amazing team of personal injury lawyers for a free case review to see what compensation you might be eligible for to cover damages suffered from your illness.

Nearly 25 kids every hour are treated for bicycle injuries!

Bicycles are an excellent way to get kids out of the house and exploring the outdoors. But just like any other mode of transportation, bicycles can cause serious and even fatal accidents if safety is ignored.

 

Fun But Dangerous Rides

According to a study released by the Center for Injury Research and Policy, 2.2 million children were treated for bike-related injuries in emergency departments across the United States between January 2006 to December 2015. Depending on the accident, these bike injuries ranged from minor cuts to extremely serious conditions, and sadly even a number of deaths. Healthychildren.org reports the most common bike injuries sustained by children include:

Between 2011 to 2015, there were a total of 22 bicycle fatalities in Connecticut and most were completely preventable. So far, zero bicycle fatalities have been reported in 2018! In addition, most state public health officials are reporting seeing less serious bike injuries this year but that doesn’t mean they can’t happen without precautions.

Research shows most bicycle injuries, especially with children, occur within close proximity of the home. Educating your children about the most common reasons for bike accidents, how to avoid them, and setting ground rules for bike riding are the best preventative measures for reducing injuries this season.

 

Staying Clear of Cars

Bicycle accidents involving collisions with cars are the number one cause of fatal and serious injuries. In 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported over 800 bicycle fatalities from motor vehicle accidents. Bicycle riders and motorists don’t always understand how to share the road, even though all states require them to follow the same traffic laws. Bicycles can easily get hit by cars when encountering these types of traffic behaviors on the road:

Children are especially susceptible to being hit by cars when on bikes since they are less familiar with traffic laws and more spontaneous when riding. Young riders may forget about the dangers of cars or falsely believe that cars will stop for them if they dart out onto the road.

 

Don’t Forget Your Helmet

Traumatic brain injuries are one of the most devastating injuries sustained from a bike accident. According to the National Institute of Medicine, at least one in three children hospitalized for bike-related injuries were diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI’s can result in several short and long-term consequences, such as:

However, despite the statistics highlighting the significant risks of not wearing a helmet, bicyclists continue to put themselves in harm’s way. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports only about 18% of adult bicyclists wear a helmet when riding and only about 15% of child cyclists wear one under the age of 15! These numbers are extremely concerning, particularly since the chance of sustaining a severe or fatal head injury is reduced up to 50% simply by wearing this piece of safety equipment most riders leave at home.

 

Watch Out for Road Hazards

Some of the most common bike injuries are caused by simple road hazards that don’t look too dangerous until you’re on unstable wheels. Aside from avoiding roads with heavy traffic, KidsHealth from Nemours identifies the most common obstacles that can cause children to sustain a bike injury from a fall:

Steep hills with the chance for excessive speed can also set your child up for injuries if they are not aware of how to safely brake or encounter one of these hazards while excelling down.

 

Educating CT on Bike Safety

Several local health organizations, including police departments, hospitals, safety coalitions and other safety groups across the state are contributing a significant amount of time and resources into educating the public on proper bike safety. For instance, Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coalition at Griffin Hospital hosts an annual bike rodeo with services including helmet fittings, bike inspections, and resources for how to promote safe bike riding in your neighborhood.

Most bike injuries can easily be prevented just by using the right equipment. NHTSA and Healthychildren.org provide several equipment recommendations for keeping your kids safe on their bikes this summer:

 

Keep CT Bike Fatalities at Zero

Connecticut residents should be proud of their dedication to bike safety- zero bike fatalities is a huge accomplishment. Help keep bike injuries and fatalities low in your community by always practicing safe riding and spreading awareness of how to prevent accidents around your neighborhood.

Jacobs & Wallace supports the rights of Connecticut residents to safely bike to work, school, or simply for recreation. If you or a loved one has sustained a serious bike injury due to the negligence of another, you may be eligible for deserved compensation. Call our winning team today to schedule a free consultation and explore your options for seeking justice for your unnecessary injuries.

Is Your Sunscreen Providing Protection or Causing Harm?

Hawaii recently became the first state to ban sunscreens with harmful chemicals that scientists believe are damaging coral reefs and ocean life. The bigger question now is if these products are possibly killing off wildlife, are they safe to put on our skin? Surprisingly…most are not!

A mom of a 14-month-old girl thought she was protecting her daughter when she applied a spray sunscreen made for kids to her hands before rubbing it on her baby’s nose and cheeks. The poor child ended up getting second-degree chemical burns from the ingredients in the sunscreen leading to painful blistering and swelling on her face.

 

The Secret Behind Your Sunscreen

If you frequent the outdoors in the summer, you probably always make sure to grab your sunscreen before you leave. But research is showing not only could your sunscreen be riddled with toxic chemicals, it may not even be effective in protecting you from the harmful lights of the sun, such as UVA (Ultraviolet A) and UVB (Ultraviolet B).

In the annual Guide to Sunscreen 2018 report released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), studies show that at least two-thirds of sunscreens are ineffective in preventing the sun’s damaging effects, such as:

Not only did most of the products fall short in the efficiency test, a number of them contained harmful ingredients that could cause further health issues such as hormone imbalances, skin allergies, reproduction or thyroid alterations, inhalation concerns, and more. What’s even more concerning is most U.S. sunscreens wouldn’t even be allowed on the shelves in other countries such as Europe, as they contain either banned chemicals or are not considered effective enough to sell to consumers.

 

Best Sunscreens of 2018

With hundreds of sunscreens to choose from, how do you know which products to buy and which to leave behind? Going off of the product ratings and recommendations from the EWG, Dr. Axe complied a number of helpful lists highlighting the best sunscreens to purchase on the market based on how you plan to use them:

Best Beach and Sport Sunscreens

 

Best Kid Sunscreens

 

Best Sunscreen Moisturizers

 

Worst Sunscreens of 2018

Not only could some of the sunscreens on the stores fail to protect you from a simple sunburn, they are manufactured with toxic chemicals that are simply dangerous for your health. Here are the sunscreens to avoid at all costs this summer…even if they are on sale:

Worst Sunscreens

 

Worst Kid Sunscreens

To look up the product ratings for your sunscreen or to find a safer alternative to what you’re using now, take a look at EWG’s complete list of sunscreens rated 1-10 in areas of protection effectiveness and overall health concerns.

Sunscreen…The Last Resort

Even if you choose one of the best sunscreens of 2018, no sunscreen will protect you 100% from the sun’s rays or from chemical reactions within the products. The EWG is not only a big supporter of using healthy sunscreens but a huge advocate for using alternatives to sunscreen. Other ways EWG encourages you to protect yourself from the sun include:

 

Protecting CT From Sunscreen Damage

Consumers often assume that if a sunscreen product has made it onto the shelf, it has to be safe enough to use- don’t fall for the trick. Make sure you research your products before purchasing them to reduce your risks of sun damage and health concerns caused by toxic ingredients.

Greedy companies who prey upon consumers looking for a good deal or a trusted brand name can cause serious harm by offering dangerous products on the market. If you or a loved one has sustained a serious injury due to an adverse reaction to a faulty product, Jacobs & Wallace is ready to seek justice for your sufferings. Contact our winning team for a free case evaluation and to explore your options for fighting back against negligent companies.

Starting this Friday, nearly 4.7 million people will be traveling by car, 160 million plan to visit local festivities, and over 115 million will be attending firework demonstrations to celebrate Independence Day! Connecticut residents across the state are gearing up for an exciting holiday weekend but few may be keeping safety in mind when finalizing their patriotic plans.

Fourth of July: Deadly and Dangerous

Fourth of July is one of the deadliest holidays of the year, plagued with reckless behaviors, out of control parties, and patriots forgetting to use caution during their celebrations. It only takes a second to become a victim of a serious or fatal holiday accident and these are the most common culprits when it comes to causing Independence Day tragedies.

Devastating Firework Displays

A Connecticut man was criminally charged for a firework accident that resulted in a guest losing part of his arm back in 2016. The man illegally organized a firework show in his neighborhood when a pipe bomb explosion caused serious injury to the guest’s arm, later requiring a partial amputation.

When it comes to consumer fireworks, only two types are legal for Connecticut residents to use at home: sparklers and fountains. Yet, thousands of people visit the emergency room every year due to injuries sustained from other types of firework products either homemade or purchased illegally from out of state vendors. Over 11,000 firework-related injuries are treated every year in ER’s across the country, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (2016). About 68% of these accidents take place between June 18 to July 18 and involve injuries such as:

Firework injuries are most often reported on the head, face, and ears (20%), legs (18%), eyes (9%) and arms (8%). Anyone can be injured by a firework, but the most common populations who show up in the ER are on July 4th are children 5-years-old and under, as well as adults ages 20 to 24.

 

Swimming Tragedies

Last July, a 2-year-old girl was placed on life support after a drowning accident in a pool at a Bridgeport home. The incident occurred the Friday before the Fourth of July weekend; sadly, the girl passed away days later unable to recover from her injuries.

Drowning accidents can happen in an instant. Contrary to how the media portrays them, drownings are often silent- children can drown only a few feet away from an adult. Drowning is the second-leading cause of death for children ages 1-14, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and for every child who dies from drowning, at least another five receive emergency care for near-drowning accidents. Nonfatal drowning accidents can result in:

Drowning accidents for both adults and children can be caused by slip and falls, boating accidents, rough water play, lack of proper flotation devices (lifejacket), or other freak accidents that can occur in the water.

 

Backyard Barbecue Blazes

In May of this year, a seven-unit apartment fire in Middletown caused an explosion and serious building damages. The fire was caused by a resident who was grilling on the back porch in close proximity of the building and railings.

July is the peak season for grill fires with an average of 1,500 fires reported every year, according to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). Several factors can contribute to a grill fire, the most common including:

Patrons can sustain major injuries from grill fires such as direct burns, non-contact burns, and respiratory issues from heavy smoke. Houses, neighboring building, fences, shed, and other structures are all at risk for damages in a grill fire and could cause massive casualties if the fire spreads quick.

 

Deadly Driving Hazards

six-vehicle accident on I-95 in East Haven resulted in two people needing to be extricated from their cars and several people requiring medical treatment back in 2016. Sadly, one person was killed in the wreck when her car hit a cement barrier- she was the fifth car involved in the accident.

July 4th is one of the deadliest days for drivers on the road. Connecticut State Troopers respond to an average of 300 to 400 vehicle accidents on Fourth of July every year. In 2016, police reported 315 accidents: 45 of them resulted in injuries and two of them were the cause of three fatalities, including the incident above. Accidents caused over the Fourth of July holiday happen for a number of reasons, including:

Alcohol plays a critical role in causing accidents and escalating the severity of injuries. Statistics gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration over the last 25 years shows drunk driving increases up to 51% on July 4th, and with millions of drivers on the road, it can be hard to tell which ones are sober until it’s too late.

 

Celebrate Independence Day Safely

Jacobs & Wallace along with safety organizations around the state want you to enjoy a safe and healthy Independence Day celebration this year. To help you prepare for safety this holiday, the American Red Cross recommends numerous steps to prevent unnecessary accidents:

When it comes to avoiding dangers on the roads, the safety site End Distracted Driving (EndDD) suggests taking these precautions when behind the wheel this holiday:

 

Don’t Let Negligence Ruin Independence Day

Don’t let risky behaviors ruin your Fourth of July. Stay alert and in control as you celebrate our country’s independence- we have a lot of freedoms to be thankful for and the right to be safe is one of them.

Independence Day accidents can cause serious and fatal injuries, changing the lives of Connecticut residents forever. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to the negligence of another, Jacobs & Wallace is on your side. Call us today to schedule a free case review and explore your options for seeking justice. Our knowledgeable team will defend your right to celebrate safely this holiday, fighting back against those who cause unnecessary harm to others.

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