IU study: Home trampolines cause 1 million ER visits

A new study from an Indiana University School of Medicine researcher finds that from 2002 to 2011, accidents on backyard trampolines accounted for nearly 289,000 visits to emergency rooms for broken bones. Factor in all accidents, not just fractures, and the tally rises to more than 1 million ER visits, according

to the study which published online in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics.

"We are inundated with injuries," said Dr. Randall T. Loder, chair of orthopaedic surgery at the IU School of Medicine and the study's lead author. "Kids need to be healthy and active, but this is not the way to do it."

His study, the first to look at fractures related to trampoline use nationwide, found that over 10 years, trampolines caused an estimated 288,876 fractures, at a cost of more than $4 million. Trampoline injuries overall led to more than $1 billion in emergency room visits.

Loder, a surgeon at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, decided to do the study after seeing an increase in the number of patients with fractures suffered in backyard trampoline accidents.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended against backyard trampolines since 1999, and many homeowner insurance policies either prohibit them or have a clear exclusion for trampoline injuries.

Still, that doesn't stop parents from purchasing them. Even Carmel personal injury lawyer Jason Reese of the firm Wagner Reese has one in his yard.

Eight years ago he purchased a trampoline for his three kids, now 14, 11 and 9; two years ago he replaced it with a large one he considers safer. He also hires an inspector to check the net once a year.

Strict rules govern the use of the Reese family's trampoline. No more than four kids at a time. A parent must be home. Don't bounce against the safety net. And no one is to go airborne.

Neighborhood kids come over often to bounce, though the Reese family is far from the only one in their neighborhood with a trampoline. His kids use the backyard trampoline almost daily.

The only injuries from their trampoline? A few bloody noses.

"For the most part, like any other parenting thing, it comes down to supervision," Reese said. "You can do it safely."

Still, he's amazed at what he sees in other people's backyards, from trampolines that have no nets, to those that sit on uneven surfaces to trampolines with decaying mats that provide iffy support.

Little surprise that stories about trampoline-related injuries are rife in the suburbs.

According to Loder's study, which included data from 100 hospitals nationwide, the number of injuries peaked in 2004 with about 110,000. Since then, the number has slowly dropped to an estimated 80,000 injuries in 2011.

"Whether it's 80,000 or 100,000, that's still a huge number of totally preventable injuries," Loder said. "The way to prevent it is not to go on it at all. There are lots of other ways to get exercise."

The most common trampoline-related injury that Loder sees at Riley is an elbow fracture, which in some cases requires immediate surgery. Knee fractures that threaten growth plates and require surgery are also common, he said.

On average, patients were 9 years old; though those who have injuries of the spine, head, ribs and sternum — accounting for 4 percent of the injuries seen — had an average age of nearly 17, perhaps because they are bigger and can jump harder.

The study looked only at backyard trampolines and did not include trampoline parks, such as the popular SkyZone. Almost all of the fractures, 95 percent, happened at the injured person's home.

Loder does not question the appeal of trampolines, just whether they're worth the risk.

"I'm sure they're fun," he said. "There's no doubt about it that they're fun. They're fun up until the time they get the injury."

Senate Clears Flood Insurance Bill for Vote To Keep Rates Low

On Monday night, the Senate cleared for floor action legislation that could delay implementation of most flood insurance premium rate hikes for customers of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) imposed by a 2012 bill for as many as four years.


The Senate brought the bill to the floor through rarely used emergency procedures by an overwhelming 86-13 vote. Floor action could begin as early as Wednesday, industry officials said.


The legislation has prompted animated responses from both supporters and opponents. But, an industry lobbyist cautioned that “this was a very strong vote” to clear the bill for floor action under accelerated procedures that required the support of every member of the Senate. “It would seem certain that they have the votes to go all the way with this one,” the lobbyist said.


Given the strong vote on the motion to proceed, opponents of the legislation said they hope the House will significantly modify the legislation so that it imposes caps on annual increases.


Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., alluded to that problem for the legislation in a statement supporting clearing the bill for Senate action. “The problem is going to be down at the other end of that hallway,” Nelson said on the Senate floor, referencing the House, according to a transcript. “Because the speaker of the House has already said that he doesn't like it, but what he's going to find out that he doesn't like is a lot of the members of the House of Representatives whose constituents are facing tenfold increases in their flood insurance.”


The bill is S. 1926, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 and National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 2014. It would prevent flood insurance rate increases until the Federal Emergency Management Agency's mapping methods are certified as technically sound and an affordability study is completed. The bill would keep in place phase-out of subsidized flood insurance premiums for vacation homes and homes that have a history of repeated flooding

Courts: Send A Text To A Person Driving A Car & They Get In An Accident Reading It, You Could Be Held Responsible!

Perusing various sources of information reveals some interesting developments that can raise

texting and driving

questions about insurance coverage. For example, the New Jersey Appeals Court decided that sending a text to someone you know is driving—and who will read it at the same time— can lead to legal responsibility for the sender if the driver has an accident.

The judge in that case said, “when a texter knows or has special reason to know that the intended recipient is driving and is likely to read the text message while driving, the texter has a duty to users of the public roads to refrain from sending the driver a text at that time.”

The court also noted that if the sender of the text does this, then the sender "has taken a foreseeable risk in sending the text, has knowingly engaged in distracting conduct, and it is not unfair to hold the sender responsible for the distraction."

If this judicial reasoning becomes the norm and the sender of the text is held legally responsible—at least partially—for an auto accident, then is insurance coverage available under the auto policy?

Texting and Auto Liability

Let's say that a man named Mr. Smith decides to text a friend or business associate when Smith knows the person is driving and will read the text immediately. How will Smith's personal auto policy or business auto policy respond if the friend or associate has an accident because he was distracted as a result of reading the text?

Both the personal auto policy and the business auto policy declare that the insurer will pay damages for bodily injury or property damage for which the insured becomes legally responsible because of an auto accident. Currently, there are no exclusions in either policy that would prevent coverage for the insured under these circumstances; and at the very least, defense costs for the insured would have to be paid if the insured is brought into a lawsuit. Of course, some states have passed laws prohibiting drivers from text messaging and this could possibly be used by an insurer to deny coverage, but that is just one of the many legal issues that lawyers and courts will have to tackle when the claims reach the legal system.

Ronald Dwyer is an independent insurance agent licensed in Michigan for Home - Auto – Business Insurance and is a licensed Real Estate Agent/Realtor. He can be reached at rondwyer@roninsureme.com or 248-390-6345. His website addresses are www.roninsureme.com and www.dwyerproperties.com Linkedin address is www.linkedin.com/in/ronalddwyer and Facebook address is www.facebook.com/dwyerinsurance

Family Day Care Liability Insurance - Are you Covered?

 Why Do I Need Liability Insurance?

While most providers never need to file a claim, daycare liability insurance is a wise investment. As careful as you are with the children in your care, accidents can happen. If a child in your care is injured or there is an allegation of abuse or sexual misconduct, you can be sued. Even if you win the case, litigation could cost you a great deal of money for legal fees. Childcare liability insurance gives you peace of mind.

Doesn't My Homeowner Policy Cover My Day Care Business?

Most homeowner policies exclude coverage of family day care. In fact, some insurance companies will not insure a home at all where a child day care business is run. You can check with your insurance carrier to find out if you are covered. Be aware that if your insurance carrier will not cover a day care home, you may end up having to seek coverage elsewhere. However, it is better to have proper coverage than to avoid the issue.

If you are not covered by your homeowner policy, you can seek separate family day care liability insurance coverage. This would be an insurance policy that is separate from your homeowner policy. There are several companies that offer coverage. Some companies offer coverage to providers across the nation, while others are more localized.

Shopping for Liability Insurance
The rates for liability insurance vary greatly from one area to the next. When shopping for family day care liability insurance, look at the amount of coverage you are purchasing, as well as what is covered by the policy. The basics should be covered: bodily injury, property damage, accidents, medical payments, and personal injury.

Additionally, you should look for coverage that includes a provision for sexual abuse. False accusations or misinterpretation can result in the need for such protection. Such issues as libel, slander and alienation of the affection of a child toward his/her parents should also be covered.

Look for a policy that covers claims on an occurrence basis. This means that claims that occur during the policy period will be covered, regardless of whether they are reported after the policy expires.

What is Not Covered by Liability Insurance?

You must look at your individual policy for the "Exclusions" section to find out exactly what is being excluded from coverage. Most companies will not cover claims resulting from: transporting children in a motor vehicle, swimming pools, certain breeds of dogs, admitted sexual misconduct, willfully hurting a child or failing to follow state licensing regulations.

Ronald Dwyer is an independent insurance agent licensed in Michigan for Home - Auto – Business Insurance. He can be reached at rondwyer@roninsureme.com or 248-390-6345. His website address is www.roninsureme.com , Linkedin address is www.linkedin.com/in/ronalddwyer and Facebook address is www.facebook.com/dwyerinsurance

How to Prevent and Deal With Frozen Pipes

Bitterly cold temperatures have hit the area hard.

One big headache that can accompany the dangerously low temperatures is frozen water pipes in unheated basements and crawl spaces of local homes. 

Why Frozen Pipes Are a Problem

Water expands as it freezes.

This expansion puts extreme pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor water faucets, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.

Also, pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.

A 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can leak up to 250 gallons of water a day, causing flooding, serious structural damage, and the immediate potential for mold.

In the US, frozen pipes cause significant damage every year, but they often  can be prevented. Taking a few simple steps, even now, may save you the aggravation and expense.

Prevention

There are three common causes of frozen pipes:

•  Quick drops in temperature
•  Poor insulation, and
• Thermostats set too low.
• There are a number of preventative steps you can take to keep your pipes from freezing:
• Check the insulation of pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic. Exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing.
• Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes.  Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., and only for the use intended (exterior or interior). Closely follow all manufacturers' installation and operation instructions.
• Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.

Use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.

A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.

Keep your thermostat set at the same temperature during both day and night. You might be in the habit of turning down the heat when you’re asleep, but further drops in the temperature – more common overnight – could catch you off guard and freeze your pipes.

Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

If Your Pipes Do Freeze...

Don’t panic. Just because they’re frozen doesn’t mean they’ve already burst. Here’s what you can do:

• If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
• If your house or basement is flooding, turn off the water valve and immediately call 911.
• Do not touch or use electrical appliances in areas of standing water due to electrocution concerns.
• Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame because it could cause a fire hazard. Every year, many building fires are caused by people trying to thaw frozen pipes. All open flames in homes present a serious fire danger, as well as a severe risk of exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.
• You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
• Again, if your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on and call 911. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it. Likely places for the water turn-off valve include internal pipes running against exterior walls or where water service enters a home through the foundation.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat set to a temperature no lower than 55ºF Bitterly cold temperatures have hit the area hard.

One big headache that can accompany the dangerously low temperatures is frozen water pipes in unheated basements and crawl spaces of local homes.

This expansion puts extreme pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor water faucets, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.

Also, pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.

A 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can leak up to 250 gallons of water a day, causing flooding, serious structural damage, and the immediate potential for mold.

In the US, frozen pipes cause significant damage every year, but they often  can be prevented. Taking a few simple steps, even now, may save you the aggravation and expense.

Prevention

There are three common causes of frozen pipes:

1.  Quick drops in temperature
2.  Poor insulation, and
3. Thermostats set too low.

There are a number of preventative steps you can take to keep your pipes from freezing:

• Check the insulation of pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic. Exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing.
• Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes.  Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., and only for the use intended (exterior or interior). Closely follow all manufacturers' installation and operation instructions.
• Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.
• Use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.
• A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
• Keep your thermostat set at the same temperature during both day and night. You might be in the habit of turning down the heat when you’re asleep, but further drops in the temperature – more common overnight – could catch you off guard and freeze your pipes.
• Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

If Your Pipes Do Freeze...

Don’t panic. Just because they’re frozen doesn’t mean they’ve already burst. Here’s what you can do:

• If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
• If your house or basement is flooding, turn off the water valve and immediately call 911.
• Do not touch or use electrical appliances in areas of standing water due to electrocution concerns.
• Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame because it could cause a fire hazard. Every year, many building fires are caused by people trying to thaw frozen pipes. All open flames in homes present a serious fire danger, as well as a severe risk of exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.
• You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
• Again, if your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on and call 911. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it. Likely places for the water turn-off valve include internal pipes running against exterior walls or where water service enters a home through the foundation.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat set to a temperature no lower than 55ºF

12 Scams of Christmas

Christmas is here, and although the holiday is associated with cheer and generosity, scammers are in full force, ready to take advantage of unwary individuals who can be easily duped.

In the spirit of the popular holiday tune, Better Business Bureau wants people to be aware of the 12 scams of Christmas. These frauds and cons are common during the holiday season, and being alert can save clients from the negative repercussions of these frauds during the otherwise jolly holiday season.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, a scammer gave to me:

Twelve malware e-cards

During the holidays, people love to spread the cheer, sometimes in the form of holiday e-cards. But viruses and malware often travel in e-mail attachments or links.

Better Business Bureau advises deleting e-mails from people whose names you don’t recognize. When in doubt, delete the e-mail or e-card. It is better to take caution than to fall victim to a corruptive virus.

Eleven stranded grandkids

Family is important, especially around the holidays. Scammers, however, can take advantage of this, utilizing what the Better Business Bureau characterizes as the “classic grandparent scam.”

If someone calls or sends an email pretending to be a grandchild, relative or friend, claiming they were robbed or harmed overseas, asking for money, check to verify that it is true before taking action.

Ten counterfeit gifts

Everybody likes a good deal, but low prices on luxury goods almost always means that the product is a cheap counterfeit.

Be careful while holiday shopping this year, especially online. Counterfeit transactions are illegal and harmful for brand owners and can leave customers dissatisfied.

Nine pockets picked

Cold weather means bundling up. But with some of the extra padding of a puffy coat, we may not notice pickpockets who are willing to take advantage of the situation.

While out and about this holiday season, keep your purse or wallet secure. Better Business Bureau also warns against putting shopping bags down, even for a moment. Experienced thieves are waiting for the perfect moment to snatch up any valuables.

Eight stolen gift cards

Gift cards can be the perfect gift: easy to buy and are usually a big hit with recipients. However, make sure that you are purchasing gift cards from a reputable dealer.

Scammers can sell you a card and use the funds, even before you have the chance to give the card as a gift, the Better Business Bureau claims.

Seven fake coupons

Buying so many gifts during the holiday season, it is no surprise that many look to coupons to save a little cash, but Better Business Bureau suggests that people use caution when downloading coupons.

A retailer’s website is the best place to find coupons, and be wary particularly if a website asks for personal information.

Six Santa scammers

Receiving a letter from Santa Claus can be the highlight of the Christmas season for a young child, but these websites could put you at risk for identity theft.

Before entering any personal information, verify that the site is real, and not just gathering data to commit fraud.

Five fake charities

The Christmas season is about generosity, and many charities thrive on end-of-the-year giving as part of their annual income.

Although Better Business Bureau encourages charity, be careful when giving this holiday season. Scammers set up fake charities that have names that often sound legitimate or are similar to popular charities. Verify the organization before you make a charitable donation this Christmas.

Four bogus websites

For those who do not know what to look for, it can be almost impossible to differentiate a real website from a bogus one.

It is easy for a hacker to mimic a real website. A red flag is if a website reads “http” in the address bar instead of the more secure “https.” Additionally, if contact information is not listed, or they are asking for a payment by wire or money card, look for verification that the website is not a fraud.

Three travel scams

Travelling during the holidays can get pricey, so airfare bargains can be tempting. But this is just another way that scammers can take advantage of unsuspecting travellers.

Be cautious when booking travel through an advertisement online, and never wire money to someone you do not know. Using trusted travel agencies or websites recommended by friends and family members can ensure that you will not fall victim to travel scams.

Two phony loves

Everyone wants someone special to share a kiss under the mistletoe or as the ball drops on New Year’s. But for those looking for love online, the holidays are a prime time for scams.

Be careful when finding an online sweetheart, especially with an online match that that gets cozy too fast and asks for money, the Better Business Bureau warns.

... And a totally fictitious puppy

There may be no better gift than a cute and cuddly puppy, but be careful when buying a pet online.

Scammers take advantage of those who want to give puppies for the holidays. Sometimes these puppies can come from puppy mills, and could have serious health problems. Other scams could involve paying for the pet online, but never receiving the puppy because it was all a scam.

If you decide to give man’s best friend for Christmas, find a reputable breeder or local rescue league to avoid being burdened by an online con.

How to Survive a Power Outage During an Ice Storm

Sometimes power outages are expected by the arrival of severe weather events such as severe thunderstorms or ice storms. These are additional steps you can take to prepare your home for weather-related blackouts.

Keep at least ½ of a tank of gas in your car at all times. Many gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps. While it may seem inconvenient to make more frequent stops at the gas station, if you have a near-empty tank during a power outage, you may lack the fuel to travel in an emergency.

Trim tree branches in your yard. It's a good idea to address any landscaping concerns before the storm season begins in your area. When a storm is approaching your home, take note of the tree limbs on your property. If they hang over power lines, make sure to trim them before the storm hits. Doing so will decrease the chances your power will be cut by a fallen tree limbs.

Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings. Lowering the temperature before you lose power will allow the refrigerator to keep acceptable temperatures for food longer. Eat perishable foods first, conserving canned or other non-perishable items for the possibility of a long-term outage.

After determining the cause of a power outage, use these measures to weather the outage safely.

Help prevent pipes from freezing. If your home is without heat, the water in your plumbing can become frozen and create expensive repair problems.


To help combat this, allow a small stream of water to run from faucets. The American Red Cross advises this action and says, "Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing."

If you own a generator, operate it safely. Never run a generator inside a home or garage, they produce potentially deadly carbon-monoxide fumes. Always keep running generators in an open and ventilated area. Also, do not directly connect the generator to your home's wiring. Plug all necessary appliances directly into the generator. When a generator is connected to a home's wiring, it can create a "back feed" into utility lines which can injure or kill anyone who is working to restore the power.

To maintain the refrigerated and frozen foods, keep fridge and freezer openings to a minimum. By not opening the door, you can keep the temperature lower for a longer period of time. Make a conscious effort before you open the fridge/freezer to plan what you will take out and close the door quickly. To increase the effectiveness of your powerless fridge, you can fill plastic containers with cold water and place inside the appliance. Not only does this increase your emergency water supply, it also helps keep the air cool inside the fridge to slow the spoilage of your food.

Although it may seem sensible to put food outside in the cold air, this is not recommended.  It is not a good idea to put food from the refrigerator and freezer outside. The temperature outside can vary hour by hour, and frozen food can thaw if exposed to the sun's rays, even if it is very cold.

Unplug all appliances and leave only one light switched on. There is an added risk of power surges occurring that can destroy your appliances. Leave one light on in your home so you know when the power has returned.

In case of extreme temperatures, plan on visiting locations and businesses that are likely to have generators. For instance, power outages are common during ice storms. Plan on visiting shopping malls or community centers that have generators to keep warm.

Follow these essential tips to help ensure the safety of you and your family from the unpredictability of power outages.