Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries Killing High School Football Players

  • March 14, 2017
  • Evans/Reilley

Researchers at the University of North Carolina released a report in January about the prevalence of fatal brain and spinal cord injuries in high school and college football players. The report stated that 24 high school athletes and four college players died from brain or spinal cord injuries between 2005 and 2014. Given that about 1.1 million high school students and 75,000 college students play football, deaths from brain and spinal cord injury are rare. But these deaths point to a need for additional research on how to protect young athletes. Common Factors The UNC researchers found that 58 percent of the high school deaths and all of the college deaths occurred in the past five years, highlighting the critical need for legal e[...]

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Car Crashes

  • January 24, 2017
  • Evans/Reilley

In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association added post-traumatic stress disorder to its manual of mental disorders. The official diagnostic criteria for PTSD say symptoms may occur following a distressing or shocking event “that is outside the range of usual human experience.” Initially, PTSD was considered a condition that affected primarily combat veterans, but over the years, psychiatrists have learned a lot about how PTSD affects civilians, including survivors of serious car crashes. The Prevalence of PTSD in Crash Survivors The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says about 9 percent of people who are involved in serious crashes that cause injuries develop PTSD. That may sound like a low number, but roughly 3.5 million peop[...]

The Dangers of Dehumidifiers

  • January 17, 2017
  • Evans/Reilley

In November 2016, a manufacturer expanded an existing recall to apply to 2.5 million of its dehumidifiers sold in the United States. Gree Electric Appliances, which is based in China, initially recalled dehumidifiers in 2013, after reports of the devices catching fire and causing property damage. The recall was subsequently updated, then expanded in 2014, and as of the November re=announcement, Gree dehumidifiers had caused 450 fires and $19 million in property damage. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Gree knew about its product defects in July 2012 – 15 months before issuing the first recall. A CPSC investigation found Gree: Knew it was obligated to report the defect to the CPSC within 24 hours of it[...]

Austin Rolling Out Vision Zero Safety Plan

  • November 21, 2016
  • Evans/Reilley

In October, workers began making improvements to the intersection at Cameron Road and U.S. Route 183. As reported in the Statesman, the upgrades include raised pedestrian “islands,” high-visibility crosswalks, and a flashing light to alert drivers that the traffic light ahead is red. The project was part of Austin’s Vision Zero Action Plan, a two-year plan to reduce serious and fatal injuries among drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Austin was ranked the 24th most dangerous city for pedestrians, in the Dangerous by Design 2014 report. Hopefully, by the time the initial stage of Vision Zero ends in 2018, Austin will be a much safer city. Specific Goals Vision Zero originated in Sweden in 1997. It’s a comprehensive approach t[...]

E-cigarette Battery Burn Injuries on the Rise

  • October 17, 2016
  • Evans/Reilley

In February, a Houston TV station reported the story of a man who was driving when an e-cigarette battery exploded in his pocket. The battery melted a section of his pants and severely burned his leg before it fell to the floor and ignited the floorboard. Luckily, he was able to pull off the road and get out of the car. That frightening incident is one of many involving e-cigarette batteries. The U.S. Fire Administration released a report in October 2014 stating 25 e-cigarette battery fires or explosions had occurred since 2009. At the time, the USFA estimated about 2.5 million people were e-cigarette users and predicted the number of users – and battery failures – would likely grow. That prediction seems to be correct. A doctor [...]

Fatal Texas Balloon Crash Raises Questions about Licensing and Oversight

  • September 16, 2016
  • Evans/Reilley

An investigation into the July 30 balloon crash in Texas that killed the pilot and 15 passengers revealed some troubling facts about the pilot’s history – facts that would’ve likely made a commercial airline pilot ineligible to fly. But pilots of hot air balloons are not held to the same standards as airline and helicopter pilots. According to NBC News, pilot Alfred “Skip” Nichols had been arrested multiple times in Missouri for driving under the influence of alcohol, and one court found his driving privileges should be suspended until June 2020. He had also served time in prison on a drug charge and served a second prison sentence after being arrested for drunk driving while he was on parole. It is unclear whether drugs[...]

Are Bounce Houses Really Safe?

  • July 1, 2016
  • Evans/Reilley

In May, a gust of wind at a Houston school carnival sent an inflatable bounce house tumbling 30 yards, injuring 10 people inside. And that wasn’t the first time a bounce house injured people. The Houston accident and others like it raise questions about the safety of these inflatable amusement devices. Known as bounce houses, bouncy castles, inflatable jumpers, moon bounces and moonwalks, these devices are supposed to be a safer alternative to trampolines, because they’re enclosed by netting that keeps children from falling out. However, in 2012, nearly 19,000 people – mostly children – sought emergency room treatment for injuries caused by bounce houses. Many of those injuries occurred when children’s arms or legs became en[...]

National Fireworks Safety Month Aims to Raise Awareness of Risks

  • June 15, 2016
  • Evans/Reilley

Fireworks are an Independence Day tradition, with many communities holding professional fireworks shows on or near July 4. And in yards around the United States, families set off their own fireworks, too. Every year, though, some of those home fireworks shows go awry, sending thousands of people to emergency rooms for burns and other injuries. In the weeks surrounding Independence Day, an average of 230 people per day seek emergency room treatment for fireworks-related injuries. National Fireworks Safety Month, which is observed between June 1 and July 4, intends to educate the public about the dangers of fireworks and reduce the incidence of fireworks-related injuries. About Fireworks Accidents In its 2014 Fireworks Annual Report [...]

Texas Amusement Park Accidents Raise Questions about Safety

  • May 10, 2016
  • Evans/Reilley

On April 28, CNN reported the story of a father and son who were riding in the back car of a rollercoaster in Amarillo when the boy’s seatbelt came undone. The father grabbed his six-year-old son and held him for the remainder of the ride. In his interview with CNN, the father said that when he told a ride operator at Wonderland Park that the seatbelt had malfunctioned, the operator said that “had happened sometimes.” The ride continued to operate, only without passengers in the back car. One day after the CNN story aired, a 16-year-old girl died at a church carnival in El Paso when she was thrown from the car of a Sizzler ride. She had told the ride operator her seatbelt wasn’t buckling properly before the ride began, but[...]

South Padre Island brings Spring Break Revelers, Accidents

  • March 15, 2016
  • Evans/Reilley

Every year, thousands of college students head south for spring break, lured by beautiful beaches and exciting nightlife. This year, South Padre Island anticipates an even greater presence of spring break revelers than in previous years, due in part to the fact that other beachfront destinations are banning or restricting alcohol use. South Padre still allows alcohol consumption on the beach, day or night. In the weeklong reprieve from classes, some students take celebrating a bit too far. Many students have been injured or arrested as a direct result of alcohol consumption, so whether you’re a local resident or a visitor, you may need to keep an eye out for out-of-control revelers around spring break. Activities and Injuries The[...]