Sometimes I get super involved with my clients to my detriment. But it is part of the process.  I have my fair share of sad cases given that I represent accident victims. There are few happy stories associated with drunk driving as you might expect. It is a scourge upon our communities throughout the country and so unnecessary, causing irreparable physical and mental damage. It is not just about repairing or replacing a trashed vehicle or getting a huge settlement. Money doesn’t help when you have been scarred for life. When there is loss of life involved, the suffering is tenfold. When it is the main breadwinner of a family, it is tragedy beyond belief. There is an enormous gap. Perhaps it is a tough subject for a blog, but if I can help draw attention to the evils of drunk driving, I want to do my part. Read on to hear about what can happen if you take that one drink you think is perfectly safe at the bar. It doesn’t take much to impair judgement.

I am working to help a family trying to surviving the loss of the father, who was the principle income provider. Now, while they await settlement, they are in dire straits. They can’t make ends need as there was no life insurance. This is another issue to talk about and a shocking revelation. People are not mindful of the unexpected. Of course, they don’t envision anything happening; but if out and about in a car, you can’t be so complacent. These families need everything, sometimes simple things like a good cleanup of the house. One day, in hysterics the widow called me crying, saying that their old vacuum had conked out. While this is not a big deal in itself for most people, it was symbolic of her plight. She felt helpless and out of control.

She felt that she would never replace it, even though I knew she could in time. Meanwhile it was simple to remedy the problem and allay her fear. I know how to get a used machine or find a good replacement on The Clean Home for less than $100. I felt so sorry for her that I printed out the results of my research and handed it to her in person. I also showed her that she had enough money in the bank to last until her monetary reward as assessed by the insurance company. As her attorney, I am not a financial counselor, but I did know that this minor expenditure was within her purview and well worth it. All would be well in due time. I just had to make her believe it. I often face this problem with accident victims as clients. They don’t believe they are safe until the check arrives in the mail. They should take my word for it, but alas, emotions get in the way.

I have a particular interest in my work because I am seriously concerned about drunk driving and the havoc it can wreak. Countless people succumb to inebriated people behind the wheel and it simply must stop. I am going to get on the bandwagon for change. The laws are not strict enough. Let’s combine our efforts and campaign for new legislation that will deter drunk driving. Right now, these people do not care or they would not be getting in a car after too many cocktails. They are indifferent to the fact that they could kill someone.

Every state has its own laws and special interest groups. Most have TV ads that remind the public of the hazard of drunk driving. While I haven’t experienced it first hand, one of my clients had a son who was killed by a drunk driver on the road. He was devastated as you can imagine. Maybe if you talk to someone who has suffered in this way or watch the ads, you will think twice about getting in your car after a drinking binge. It is vital to never forget the pain one can cause. Let it be a strong deterrent for you if you drink. I know that alcohol is relaxing, especially after a hard day’s work. But if you frequent bars, you no doubt tend to over indulge. This is especially true if you drink socially with the guys.

I was particularly touched when this client gave me his son’s Daniel Wellington Dapper Bristol watch as a thank you gift for my support. For sure, when wearing it, I will never forget this deceased young man. My client was encouraged to hear this. He fears that his son will fade from public memory and he wants him to be an object lesson in the evils of drunk driving.

The watch, by the way, is one of the nicest designs according to this Daniel Wellington watch review. It is classic and sleek featuring contrasting deep blue hands. Roman numerals and a date display are at the six o’clock spot. If you don’t know the company, they specialize in exchangeable leather bands. This one was made in Italy and is a beautiful go-with-everything deep brown. I find the design to be sophisticated and mature with a high-class look. If you like elegance, grab the Dapper Bristol and get it on your wrist. It can be worn for any occasion, even dress. A touch of class goes a long way. I am honored to receive this fine timepiece from my client.

I don’t often get gifts from clients but this was a special case. I handled the drunk driving case from start to finish and ended in success with a substantial settlement. This is not always the outcome. Then it is on to a new case as drunk driving is a constant scourge on society. It is part and parcel of my work. I am dedicated to eradicating this problem, one case at a time.

Don’t wait until after the fact to establish safety rules when there is an accident. This applies as much to driving as to swimming in the family pool. You have to be proactive and take summer precautions. Some homeowners don’t realize what might happen. For example, if they do not have a sturdy fence, a stray animal or a child can enter the yard and decide to try out the pool or simply fall in. The consequences can be more than tragic if the young one doesn’t know how to swim and get out in the shallow end. Another good move is to let the neighbors know about pool safety and to prohibit their children from coming over to use your above ground pool when no adult is around. Make it clear that there is not an open invitation to swim. There must be a set date and time. You might assemble your own and the area kids and have a good talk about potential accidents. If you are really worried about drownings, you can sponsor classes—beginners’ swim lessons. It is a great way to head off problems. You can never be too careful about a backyard swimming pool. It is like a beacon to children. What child doesn’t love water recreation.

Another precaution you can take is to have little safety vests near the pool for the really young children who swim in your pool. You can mandate their use, even when an adult or two are around. Adults can get distracted. Don’t assume they don’t. They can be having a conversation, getting a snack on the patio, etc. This has happened in families. There is tremendous guilt and regret when accidents happen, even if they are not fatal.

Add to your precaution list the importance of the family adults having a lifesaving course. If a child has been underwater too long, for example, and has difficulty breathing, you will know what to do. Your older children, particularly teens, should be included. You don’t have to be an adult to save a life. You must stress urgency in regard to lifesaving and practice techniques regularly to remind everyone of the protocol. You can teach the younger children not to panic as it makes lifesaving difficult and hazardous. If the child in trouble relaxes, he or she can be brought to safety and breathing restoration techniques can be initiated.

I am sure you can come up with your own safety rules which include appropriate behavior while swimming. Children should be told they cannot rough house or indulge in boisterous play that is potentially dangerous. Never dunk another unsuspecting child as a prank. There are a million little things rambunctious kids do in a pool that have to be curbed. Remind kids about safety first. Let them internalize this dictum and they will also tell their visiting friends. It is especially important to be cautious when there are a lot of kids in the pool as you can miss seeing some activity. Keep your eyes open, parents.

I deal with drunk drivers in my job, so I am especially tuned into people’s drinking habits. They can turn deadly in a car and it is heart-breaking to see the consequences. I am not trying to judge people morally or to breach good behavior to them, but I do want to warn them if I can. If I save a few lives so much the better. It pays to just be aware of what over indulging can do. Recently, I have heard about some adult drownings in backyard pools. Apparently some of them have to do with excessive drinking. Why would someone want to get drunk and try to swim? It simply isn’t safe at all. It is rare enough that people are not paying attention to the statistics. So now you know.

If you are going into the water and want to drink at the same time, the only wise route is to use a pool float big enough for an adult. Using an inflatable will help you be smart near water. They are comfortable, easy to inflate with an air pump, and come in attractive shapes and colors. You can pick one you like and then know that you have made the right gesture. If you can’t curb your drinking and limit yourself to just one cocktail, then by all means get a float. All summer long people enjoy their pools and it seems like a good idea to them to have a few drinks to relax. But you can be too relaxed and risk your life. In a large pool, you can wander off to the deep end without even knowing it. If it is dark outside you might not be able to see the steps behind you to exit. It is not that easy to jump up over the side. The answer is the pool float.

I don’t want to tell sad stories but even in my neighborhood, one middle-aged father drowned mercifully when his kids were in the house. We all talked about it incessantly. If only he had practiced safe rules when around the pool. After the accident, the pool was removed by the widow as it was a constant reminder. She is hysterical whenever her kids say they want to go swimming. Maybe someday they will be allowed to use floats. I felt very sorry for the family and it encouraged me to get on my high horse about drinking and swimming. You lose your judgement when driving so why not when in the water. Some people don’t believe this and they continue to gulp down another drink. Their reasoning ability is shattered. We all know this but some can’t accept it and believe they are the exception. I personally have several inflatable pool floats for adults so I can loan them out to neighbors or use them at home for those who insist on drinking. Do yourself a favor and follow my lead.

Every adult wants to think that he or she sets a good example. It can pertain to behavior and actions of all types but it is particularly important if there is a moral lesson involved. That’s how we pass on our customs and lore to the young. They learn by watching and also by listening to what you say. It is all about teaching responsibility a lot of the time. Kids don’t get it by osmosis. They have to live with those who show how it’s done. You have to pick your moments so that your lesson in life has some meaning. You don’t let your children run wild. You reign in their behavior with instruction and guidance. Sometimes that means you get in fights. It goes with the territory of parenthood.

Usually you wait for the right occasion to say your piece and impart your wisdom, but sometimes they don’t seem that important. Take one occasion when I had an argument with my son who forgot to replace the hot tub cover after he’d used it with some friends. This is how I knew he had used it, and without permission at all. We have strict rules about these things in the family and were displeased that he didn’t abide by them. We were out and I am sure there was that great temptation to uncover the tub and invite friends over for some fun. It probably thought that we would never find out. The cover gave it all away. It was a simple mistake. He certainly heard about this behavior from us. He violated our trust. When it comes to water, there are issues of safety about which we have concerns. We would hate to have an accident happen in our midst.

The argument was tense and it brought home the point. I don’t expect usage of the hot tub in the near future without a prior discussion. The fact that he invited kids over was a point of contention with him. He wanted to be popular with his friends and neighbors and the hot tub was a big draw. We felt bad about the argument because we could certainly understand his desire to please others. Also, he often uses the hot tub when we are at home supervising. We used this incidence to teach responsibility and we hope that it took.

Now, when he wants to use the hot tub he must tell us in person or at least leave a clear note. He cannot invite friends unless an adult is present, which could be in the yard or just the house. We like him to be able to entertain and that’s what the hot tub is for. As long as the cover is intact, we will have no telltale signs that he has violated our family policy. We prefer not to have heated arguments, however, and hope that a simple explanation of what was wrong will suffice. It is a better method to be a parent and not an ogre.

Shhh. Silence is golden. There is too much noise in most any environment. I call it noise pollution. Libraries have been known to attract chatterboxes with nothing else to do but talk on their cell phones incessantly while paging through a book. In the movies, distractions abound. People simply won’t shut up. Restaurants are impossible with screaming kids and loud voices. Maybe the office is the last bastion of quiet.

This comes to mind because we have a new “silent partner” in the workplace in the form of a quiet dehumidifier. We finally decided we needed one when, during the hot summer months, some old documents started to show mold. Then there was the bathroom problem and dirty-looking tile. It was time to realize that we lived in a humid climate and that something had to be done.

Some employees balked, worrying about a droning sound or constant hum. They felt it would be irritating rather than white noise. We had to do some fast persuasion. The new state-of-the-art models are perfectly noise free so they don’t contribute to the sound background in every nook or cranny.

A dehumidifier is a simple machine that does what the name implies. It takes moisture out of the air to make for a more comfortable environment. People breathe easier, feel better about the temperature, and don’t have to change clothes during working hours. (I hear they do this in New Orleans). Let’s face it. When moisture rises to a certain level, it is harmful to well-being, not to mention productivity, and the latter is what it is all about. Plus, high moisture content is what we associate with that musty odor of basements. While there are chemical ways of dealing with mold, mildew, and smell, they are not always safe.

We had a powwow about the dehumidifier to explain its functioning, cost, and benefits. Quiet was high on most employee’s lists. People don’t mind talking or the shuffling of papers, but they seem to hate a continuous sound. This was not a difficult bill to fill. We were very democratic about taking a vote and seeking unanimity of acceptance. I think management was anxious to show responsibility and consideration. They also wanted to demonstrate that they are up to date. They talked about ionizing, portability, refrigerated coil versus desiccant technology. We were impressed with their knowledge and trusted their choice. We were ready to say yes and call it a day.

The coil system works on the same principle as condensation on a window. Their compact refrigeration systems are generally for commercial use. A fan passes air on the coils which then trap moisture from the air. It is cooled into water and collected in a container. With the desiccant type, air is passed through a rotor that acts as a water absorbent material. There are fans involved, a heater, a motor, and a rotor in the commercial models. Moisture is removed promptly and efficiently.

We are a happy team indeed at work and thankful for the foresight of getting a commercial-grade humidifier. Ask your boss about a suitable model the next time the subject of humidity comes up. You might be surprised at the response.