Another Pedestrian Hit and Run Accident in Bellingham, WA
Another person has been struck in Bellingham, Washington in a pedestrian hit-and-run accident. The crash happened Wednesday, January 31, 2018 on I-5 near Samish Way. The man, who had been walking on the highway, was taken to Harborview Medical Center with signs of head trauma and leg injuries consistent with being hit by a car.
Read MoreWashington State Ranked Second-Worst State to Drive in Nation
According to a list published by financial website WalletHub.com on Wednesday, January 24, 2018; Washington ranked second-worst state to drive in the nation. Hawaii came is as the worst and Texas the best. Now, before we start blaming Canadians or people who don’t know how to use roundabouts or who camp in the left lane, this ranking is about a “positive commute.”
Read MoreNational Academies of Science Panel Recommends Lower Drunken Driving Threshold
Each year 10,000 preventable deaths occur as a result of drunken driving accidents. In an effort to reduce this unnecessary carnage, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) commissioned a study from the National Academies of Sciences to identify the most effective proven strategies for reducing drunken driving. The report, which was released January, 2018, concluded that the majority of alcohol-related traffic deaths could be eliminated if states reduced their blood-alcohol concentration threshold from 0.08 to 0.05. All states currently have 0.08 thresholds although Utah passed a law last year that will lower the state’s threshold to 0.05 beginning Dec. 30, 2018.
Read MoreBellingham Man Victim of Pedestrian Hit and Run Accident
A 44-year-old male was clipped by a vehicle while using a crosswalk to cross the Guide Meridian from east to west near Westerly Road. The incident took place about 11:20 p.m. October 30, 2017. According to Bellingham Police Lt. Danette Beckley, witnesses told police the car sped north on Guide Meridian from Westerly road. Police were left looking for the perpetrator as he or she fled the scene, making this a pedestrian hit and run accident.
Read MorePrevent Foodborne Illness: When to Throw Away Perishable Food after a Power Outage
Perishable foods such as cracked eggs, meat, poultry and seafood begin to grow dangerous bacteria when it sits in the “danger zone” temperature range between 40°F and 140°F for more than two hours. It is the growth of dangerous bacteria that is the underlying cause of 48 million foodborne illnesses each year. Of these 48 million people, about 3,000 people die and approximately 128,000 people are hospitalized.
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Read MoreWhat is the Connection Between Shoveling Snow, Heart Attacks and Failure to Diagnose Cases?
In the Pacific Northwest we don’t usually get more than a few days with heavy snow on the ground which means that we are always out of practice for shoveling snow. When a person who has cardiovascular issues sets out to shovel snow they are in fact, risking a heart attack from the exertion. A study published in the journal Clinical Research in Cardiology identified 500 patients who checked into the hospital over two winters because of heart problems. Seven percent of those patients said that they were shoveling snow at the time the symptoms started. The people most vulnerable to a snow shoveling related heart attack were men, with an average age of 63, with a family history of premature cardiovascular disease.
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Read MorePortable Generator-Related Deaths: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Portable generators have many uses including heating and lighting campsites and as backup electricity for when the power goes out unexpectedly. Many businesses and some households keep generators on hand for just this reason. Anyone using a portable generator should be aware of the dangers that it can pose if not used in a safe way; namely the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Research conducted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission between 2004 and 2013 found that generators were the cause of 81 percent of the 808 deaths attributed to engine driven tools.
Read MoreCould Defensive Driving have Prevented Bellingham Multi-Car Pileup?
I-5 Northbound traffic was blocked for almost three hours Monday morning as emergency crews and tow trucks handled the aftermath of a multi-car pileup near the Lakeway Exit. Cars were stopped all the way back to Old Fairhaven Parkway while officials completed the cleanup and investigation. Side-streets were inundated with traffic diverted from the interstate. In total 11 vehicles were involved in the crash and two people were hurt and taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Hospital. Thankfully there were no life-threatening injuries.
Read MoreJanuary Deadliest Month of the Year for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
A five year study on carbon monoxide poisoning statistics between 1999 and 2004 was completed and released by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in December, 2007. The research team found that January was the deadliest month of the year for carbon monoxide poisonings in the United States. They attributed at least two deaths per day from carbon monoxide poisoning in January, which was three times the carbon monoxide poisoning rate recorded in August and July. Unintentional exposure to carbon monoxide was the cause of 15,000 emergency room visits in each year of the study with an average of 439 people dying each year.
Read MoreHow to Prevent a Slip and Fall Accident on Icy Walkways
Winter in the Pacific Northwest means many days (and nights) with ice and snow on the ground. These slippery conditions means a dramatically increased risk for a slip and fall accident on icy walkways. Simple preventative measures on the part of walkers and property owners can help reduce the chances of a serious slip and fall injury.
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