Happy Summer!

June marks the beginning of summer, where the living is easy – pool, vacations, no school, and warm weather.

It is also a time for me to do my yard work. Weeding, cutting down vines from trees and planting our garden. Here is a
pic of a rock wall I’m building. Something about the hard work and geometry of putting rocks together is a great escape
for me.

Summer safety is important too. Guess which months have the highest incidence of teen auto crashes, water related
incidents and ATV wrecks? – June, July, and August.

Summer brings more
ER visits, water
incidents, and work
injuries. The most dangerous month, day and time to drive? August,
Saturday, night. I’m writing not for us to be aware, not scare. Here’s a blog and link to teen driving
training.

Heat stroke can strike anyone, but people who work outside and the elderly are particularly at risk. Wear loose fitting,
lightly colored clothing and stay ultra-hydrated. Drink even when you don’t think you need to. Early warning sign = leg
cramps. People with heat stroke will not sweat (counter intuitive).

Don’t leave your pet in the car. Gets hot in there quicker than you think. 16 States have laws against this. Click
here for details.

It goes without saying that everyone regardless of age should wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, but I will include
that reminder in here anyway. Cyclists should wear brightly colored clothing and make sure that their bikes have
reflectors appropriate for dusk (and night).

Want to not ride an ATV – read the latest CPSC annual report on ATV injuries and deaths here. . Do not allow children on
ATVs. They are not designed to carry a passenger and you should always wear a helmet. ATVs are inherently defective as I
have shown in a few cases: they have deceptively high centers of gravity and no wheel differential which cause them to
too easily roll over.
Water safety and water incidents greatly increase as well. Urge them to make good decisions
(tell the boys they don’t have to show off).Never leave a child unattended near a body of water. It doesn’t take much
water for a person to drown. Make sure that young children are equipped with proper flotation devices like water wings
and life vests. Also beware of diving in water of unknown depths and never swim alone.

When boating, never operate the vessel under the influence of drugs or alcohol and always steer clear of people floating
and swimming in the water.

Every year we get calls from folks with firework injuries. It is best to let sober adults handle fireworks and to keep
children a safe distance away.

Gary Burger

Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO

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