Thursday, December 23, 2010

Continuing Our Safety Initiatives Into the New Year

Here at William Mattar Law Offices, not only are we committed to helping those injured in auto accidents, but we're also committed to keeping Western New Yorkers safe.

Drinking and driving is always a major concern, especially on big party nights such as New Years Eve.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, thousands of people are killed each year in alcohol-impaired driving crashes.  These fatalities accounted for 32% of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States in 2009.  That equals out to an average of one alcohol-impaired driving fatality every 48 minutes.

There is no "safe limit" when it comes to drinking and driving.  Therefore, whenever you go out for the night, it is important to always have a reliable designated driver if you plan on drinking.

We are happy to be partnering with Designated Drivers of Buffalo for the third year in a row to sponsor FREE rides home on New Years Eve.  The William Mattar Safe Ride Home Program offers a FREE ride home for both you and your car from 12:00am-4:00am on January 1st (New Years Eve night).  For all the details visit mattar.com and click on the Safe Ride logo in the right column.

In addition, January is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Awareness Month in the state of New York.  We will be teaming up with local non-profit organization, The Amanda Hansen Foundation, and Tops Friendly Markets to give away thousands of dollars worth of CO detectors.  We'll be giving these away on Sunday, January 23rd from 10:00am-2:00pm at Tops on Niagara Street in Buffalo.  Keep an eye on our Facebook page for further details!

Check out our segment on this morning's AM BUFFALO! -
http://www.wkbw.com/programming/am-buffalo/video/Attorney-William-Mattar---Safe-Ride-Home-Program---December-23rd-112386464.html

Attorney William K. Mattar (left) and AM Buffalo's Jon Summers

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Posted by William Mattar Law Firm at 4:37 PM 0 comments

Thursday, December 16, 2010

'Tis the Season for Giving!

It is that special time of year when we all love to open our hearts to those less fortunate.  People throughout the country are showing their holiday spirit by helping families in need through the Salvation Army.

The staff here at William Mattar Law Offices is doing their part to help a local family.  The employee participation was overwhelming.  We put together boxes upon boxes of great gifts that are sure to brighten this family's Holiday.

The spirit of giving is contagious, so we encourage everyone to "catch the bug" and help out their communities.  From buying gifts for those less fortunate to donating time as a volunteer, every little bit helps.  So get out there and let your Holiday spirit shine.

Happy Holidays to all!

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Posted by William Mattar Law Firm at 4:55 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Tips for Toy Safety

December is Toy Safety Month and, as we all know, the Holiday shopping season is in full gear.  There are many things to keep in mind when shopping for toys.  Be sure to follow the below guidelines from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission when searching for gifts for your little ones this season and throughout the year.  These and many other helpful tips can be found at www.cpsc.gov.

WHEN BUYING TOYS

Choosing toys with care. Keep in mind the child's age, interests and skill level.
 
Look for quality design and construction in all toys for all ages.
 
Make sure that all directions or instructions are clear -- to you, and, when appropriate, to the child. Plastic wrappings on toys should be discarded at once before they become deadly playthings.

Be a label reader. Look for and heed age recommendations, such as "Not recommended for children under three". Look for other safety labels including: "Flame retardant/Flame resistant" on fabric products and "Washable/hygienic materials" on stuffed toys and dolls.

WHEN MAINTAINING TOYS

Check all toys periodically for breakage and potential hazards. A damaged or dangerous toy should be thrown away or repaired immediately.

Edges on wooden toys that might have become sharp or surfaces covered with splinters should be sanded smooth. When repainting toys and toy boxes, avoid using leftover paint, unless purchased recently, since older paints may contain more lead than new paint, which is regulated by CPSC. Examine all outdoor toys regularly for rust or weak parts that could become hazardous.

WHEN STORING TOYS

Teach children to put their toys safely away on shelves or in a toy chest after playing to prevent trips and falls.

Toy boxes, too, should be checked for safety. Use a toy chest that has a lid that will stay open in any position to which it is raised, and will not fall unexpectedly on a child. For extra safety, be sure there are ventilation holes for fresh air. Watch for sharp edges that could cut and hinges that could pinch or squeeze. See that toys used outdoors are stored after play -- rain or dew can rust or damage a variety of toys and toy parts creating hazards.

SHARP EDGES

New toys intended for children under eight years of age should, by regulation, be free of sharp glass and metal edges.

With use, however, older toys may break, exposing cutting edges.

SMALL PARTS

Older toys can break to reveal parts small enough to be swallowed or to become lodged in a child's windpipe, ears or nose. The law bans small parts in new toys intended for children under three. This includes removable small eyes and noses on stuffed toys and dolls, and small, removable squeakers on squeeze toys.

LOUD NOISES

Toy caps and some noisemaking guns and other toys can produce sounds at noise levels that can damage hearing. The law requires the following label on boxes of caps producing noise above a certain level: "WARNING -- Do not fire closer than one foot to the ear. Do not use indoors." Caps producing noise that can injure a child's hearing are banned.

CORDS AND STRINGS

Toys with long strings or cords may be dangerous for infants and very young children. The cords may become wrapped around an infant's neck, causing strangulation. Never hang toys with long strings, cords, loops, or ribbons in cribs or playpens where children can become entangled. Remove crib gyms for the crib when the child can pull up on hands and knees; some children have strangled when they fell across crib gyms stretched across the crib.

SHARP POINTS

Toys which have been broken may have dangerous points or prongs. Stuffed toys may have wires inside the toy which could cut or stab if exposed. A CPSC regulation prohibits sharp points in new toys and other articles intended for use by children under eight years of age.

PROPELLED OBJECTS

Projectiles -- guided missiles and similar flying toys -- can be turned into weapons and can injure eyes in particular. Children should never be permitted to play with adult lawn darts or other hobby or sporting equipment that have sharp points. Arrows or darts used by children should have soft cork tips, rubber suction cups or other protective tips intended to prevent injury. Check to be sure the tips are secure. Avoid those dart guns or other toys which might be capable of firing articles not intended for use in the toy, such as pencils or nails.

ALL TOYS ARE NOT FOR ALL CHILDREN

Keep toys designed for older children out of the hands of little ones. Follow labels that give age recommendations -- some toys are recommended for older children because they may be hazardous in the hands of a younger child. Teach older children to help keep their toys away from younger brothers and sisters.

Even balloons, when uninflated or broken, can choke or suffocate if young children try to swallow them. More children have suffocated on uninflated balloons and pieces of broken balloons than on any other type of toy.

ELECTRIC TOYS

Electric toys that are improperly constructed, wired or misused can shock or burn. Electric toys must meet mandatory requirements for maximum surface temperatures, electrical construction and prominent warning labels. Electric toys with heating elements are recommended only for children over eight years old. Children should be taught to use electric toys properly, cautiously and under adult supervision.

INFANT TOYS

Infant toys, such as rattles, squeeze toys, and teethers, should be large enough so that they cannot enter and become lodged in an infant's throat.

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Posted by William Mattar Law Firm at 1:36 PM 0 comments
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