Maine Injury & Accident Lawyer & Attorney : Joe Bornstein Law Firm : Auto Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Construction Injuries : Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, Biddeford, Maine

Summer is officially over and that mean it’s time for school. The Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offer the following advice for all parents to help assimilate their kids back to school:

First Day Jitters:

• Remind your child that he or she is not the only student who is a bit uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers know that students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
• Point out the positive aspects of starting school: Your child will see old friends and meet new ones. Refresh his or her memory about previous years, when he or she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits after having fun.
• Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your child can walk to school or ride with on the bus.

Back Pack Safety:

• Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.
• Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments and pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the student's body weight.
• Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles.

School Bus Safety:

• Wait for the bus to stop before approaching it from the curb.
• Check to see that no other traffic is coming before crossing.
• Do not move around the bus and always make sure to remain in clear view of the bus driver.

Eating During The School Day:

• Most schools regularly send schedules of cafeteria menus home. With this advance information, you can plan on packing lunch on the days when the main course is one your child prefers not to eat.
• Try to get your child's school to stock healthy choices such as fresh fruit, low-fat dairy products, water and 100 percent fruit juice in the vending machines.
• Each 12-ounce soft drink contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories. Drinking just one can of soda a day increases a child's risk of obesity by 60 percent. Restrict your child's soft drink consumption.

Developing Good Homework and Study Habits:

• Create an environment that is conducive to doing homework. Children need a permanent work space in their bedroom or another part of the home that offers privacy and inspiration.
• Set aside ample time for homework and establish a household rule that the TV stays off during homework time.
• If your child is struggling in a subject, speak with his or her teacher and seek out additional help. Teachers will be happy to assist those who take the initiative. 

School should be an enjoyable learning experience for children of all ages, and with proper precautions and preparation, the future of tomorrow will learn today. So teach your kids to enjoy school, because by excelling in school they will be setting themselves up to excel in life.

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The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein wants all of its friends and family to have a fun-filled summer in the pool, at the lake, or by the ocean.  Still, we caution everyone to know the safety rules of swimming and to be aware that the water can pose dangers if we are not careful.

In 2005, 3,582 people in the United States drowned, with one in four fatalities occurring in children under the age of 14.  In an attempt to reduce this number, and to make sure we all have a safe summer in and around the water, the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein asks everyone to know these safety rules:

• Always swim with a buddy, and preferably under the supervision of a lifeguard. Never venture into a pool, lake, or the ocean by yourself.
• Always read and obey posted swimming signs.  They are there for your safety.
• Never leave a child alone in or near the water.  Be attentive while watching, as tragedy can strike quick, and always be prepared to help if the situation calls for it.   
• According to the Today Show, parents are advised to stay within an arm's reach of children.
• If your child uses air-filled or foam toys, be aware that these are toys and NOT safety devices. If a child is wearing water wings you must still supervise them, as these often provide unstable bouyancy.
• Do not dive into shallow or unknown waters, as serious neck and back injuries may occur.
• Be aware of the local weather. It's best to stop swimming at the first sign of bad weather, and never swim in a thunderstorm.
• Avoid swimming immediately after eating.  It's best to let your food digest so you can avoided getting cramps, which hamper your ability to swim and maneuver in the water.
• Don’t drink and swim.  Alcohol impairs your judgment and should be avoided if you are going to spend time in and around the water.
• Watch for dangerous rip currents in the ocean. The water may turn unusually calm, but it's powerful current can pull even the strongest of swimmers out to sea.  The majority of beach drownings and lifeguard rescues are due to strong rip currents, where swimmers become exhausted from trying to fight the current and swim to shore.  If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you are free of the current, where you can catch your breath and swim safely to shore.
• And most importantly, get certified in CPR - it save lives.  Contact an American Red Cross near you to learn more.  

There’s nothing like a hot summer day spent splashing around in the water. At the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein, we want to be sure all of your summer swims are happy, refreshing, and safe.

Now everyone into the water!  After all, it is summer in Maine!

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Spring has officially sprung, and that means kids all across the state will be riding bikes again.  And with the influx of new riders on the road, it is important for both bicyclists and drivers to pay attention and follow a few simple rules.  Doing so will make everyone's ride more enjoyable.

For bicyclists, regardless of your experience, it is important to remember: 

• Bicycle helmets are required for all bicyclers under the age of 16. 
• Ride your bike with the traffic, not against it.
• A bicyclist can pass a motorist on the right when it is safe to do so.
• Check to make sure your bike’s reflectors are in good working order, and if possible use a light while riding at night.
• Check to make sure your brakes work properly.
• Always observe the usual rules of the road.

For drivers, please remember to leave plenty of room when passing a bicycle. Maine has a new law that says motorists must give at least three feet when passing someone riding a bike.

The new Maine law states:

• An operator of a motor vehicle that is passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction shall exercise due care by leaving a distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of no less than three feet while the motor vehicle is passing the bicycle.
• The Maine law that once prohibited motorists from crossing the solid yellow center line in the road while passing a bicyclist has been changed. The new three-foot passing law now allows motorists to cross the solid yellow center line to pass bicyclists when it is safe to do so.

For more information on bicycling safety, education, and access throughout the state of Maine, contact the Bicycle Coalition of Maine (www.bikemaine.org). 

And remember to share the road, because a safe ride is always a good ride.
 

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