Tag Archives: safety

10 Tips to Find a Great Car Mechanic

It is important to have a great car mechanic. Car maintenance can be expensive, but proper car maintenance is important for safe driving. Proper car maintenance can also prolong the life of your vehicle. Here are 10 ways to find a great car mechanic.

1. Ask friends and family

Your friends and family may have great mechanics. Ask around. This is the easiest way to find a great mechanic.

2. Find a mechanic that specializes in your brand

There are many mechanics that specialize in certain car manufacturers and vehicles. Try to find on one that specializes in your vehicle. This shop will be more likely to have the right equipment. The mechanics in the shop are also probably specially trained in your vehicle.

3. Search the internet

Look on review sites like Angie’s List or Yelp. These sites have very honest and thorough reviews. Car forums are also another great place to look for shop recommendations. These forums have very honest reviews too, and it will be easier to find a shop that specializes in your car.

4. Check for certification

Look for a mechanic and shop that has been certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is a professional certification group. It certifies professionals in the automotive repair and service industry.

5. Check the Better Business Bureau website

This website will give you information on complaints about auto shops. The information will help you spot and avoid bad shops.

6. Give the mechanic a try

Test out the auto shop by getting small repairs done. If you like the results, you can commit to the auto shop for larger repairs.

7. Warranties

Some auto shops have warranties on their repair work. Before getting something fixed, find out what the warranty is for the repair.

8. Appearance

A shop’s appearance reveals a lot about the quality of repairs given. The shop should be a clean working environment. It should also be organized, well lit, and well maintained.

9. Meet the mechanic

You should meet the person who is working on your car. Talk to the mechanic about the shop and the repair. You want to trust your mechanic.

During this talk, try to find out what kind of car parts they use. Every car manufacturer has low quality and high quality parts. Before visiting the mechanic, find out what kind of parts are necessary for the repairs. The quality of parts used by auto shop is quite revealing. Knowing the prices for parts will also protect from being overcharged.

10. Look for good business

If the auto shop is a good one, it will probably have a lot of business. Check the mechanic’s lot. A prosperous shop should have a large number of cars in their lot. It is also important that you pay attention to how often these cars regularly change. If you see the same unrepaired cars for weeks, you should probably find a better mechanic.

Two Separate OC Toddler Drowning

Two toddler boys in Orange County have drowned in pools, in the past week.

The first drowning took place in Rancho Santa Margarita in a community pool. The victim was a 3-year-old boy, Xavier Ergueta. He was pronounced dead a day later at Mission Hospita. Xavier Ergueta was pulled from the Beach Club and Lagoon pool on Avenida de los Fundadores on the Fourth of July.

Witnesses described pool staffers asking all visitors to get out of the pool because a child was missing. The boy was found, and a woman was seeing performing CPR on the boy. Firefighters reported to the scene at around 7:50 p.m. Thursday. An off-duty nurse and an off-duty paramedic assisted the boy before any paramedics arrived. Ergueta was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The pool has a maximum depth of 4 feet. It is owned and operated by the Rancho Santa Margarita Landscape and Recreation Corp. The incident is currently under internal investigation. In a news release, the pool stated that all safety procedures and policies were followed. The OC Health Care Agency has inspected the beach club and found no issues. This was the first drowning at the pool in its 26 year history.

Another drowning took place in a Placentia pool, Monday afternoon. A 2-year-old boy was found unconscious in a Placentia pool located in the 500 block of Dartmouth Drive. The boy has been identified as Omar Abo-Shadi. He died later early Tuesday morning. Firefighters and Police responded to the pool at about 1:45 p.m., Monday.

The boy was not breathing when the firefighters arrived at the scene. He was able to regain heartbeat and a pulse after he was brought to St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton. Omar Abo-Shadi was placed on a respirator and taken to Children’s Hospital of Orange County. He was pronounced dead early Tuesday morning. Investigators are still trying to determine if the drowning was an accident.

These unfortunate accidents took the lives of two innocent little boys. Pool safety is a serious issue for Orange County residents. We are lucky enough that the weather is usually good enough for pool time year around. It is important that we educate ourselves about pool safety.

Here are some important pool safety tips:

Never leave a child unattended near water. There must always be an adult supervising.
Become certified in CPR. You may never know when it may come in handy.
When you are supervising children, keep a phone by the pool. This way you never have to leave the pool to answer the phone.
Put away tools in and around the pool.
Make sure your children know how to swim. Teach them about pool safety.
Remember, children who are expert swimmers are still at risk of drowning.

If someone you love was ever injured due to another individual’s negligence, contact a Placentia personal injury lawyer.

Firework Shows in OC

Independence Day is tomorrow! It is a great day to relax, grill, and enjoy fireworks! Hopefully, you’ll get to eat tons of great grilled goodies and spend time with your friends and family. If you are looking to enjoy fireworks up close and personal, here are some firework shows in Orange County!

Aliso Viejo

Grand Park (Aliso Creek Road and Pacific Park Drive)

Anaheim

Disneyland

Anaheim Hills

Peralta Canyon Park (Pinney Dr)

Dana Point

Dana Point Harbor

Viewing available at Heritage Park and Lantern Bay Park

Fullerton

Fullerton High School Stadium

Lemon Street and Berkeley

Huntington Beach

Fireworks over the ocean

Laguna Hills

Laguna Hills Sports Complex

Laguna Niguel

Laguna Niguel Regional Park

Mission Viejo

Olympiad Road

Between marguerite Parkway and Melinda Road

San Clemente

San Clemente Pier

San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano Sports Park

Santa Ana

Centennial Park

Tustin

Tustin High School Football Field

Yorba Linda

Veterans Park

Casa Loma Avenue (adjacent to City Hall)

Feel free to suggest some shows in the comments! Remember July 4^th is one of the busiest days of the year for hospitals and police. Do not drink and drive, and don’t let friends drink and drive! If you do drink, please enjoy the holiday carefully. Alcohol can impair judgment and slow reaction time.

Fireworks are also incredibly dangerous. Don’t let children play with or light fireworks. Fireworks can seriously injure a child or an adult. Only light fireworks if you are experienced in fireworks. Be especially careful of disposing fireworks. If the firework is not completely out, it could start a fire or burn someone.

Enjoy the holiday!

Carpooling 101

Carpooling with other parents can make your life much easier, but it can also be scary for parents.

Every parent can use help every once awhile. Carpooling is a great way to lessen parents’ responsibility. However, carpooling often makes parents nervous. Here are some tips on how to make carpooling safer and easier.

Before agreeing to carpool with another parent, get to know the parent. Playdates are a great for your children to have fun and for you to meet the other parent. It is a relaxed atmosphere that encourages bonding.

Once you feel comfortable with this other parent driving your children, you should create a carpooling schedule. Write down the parent responsible driving for each day. This will make planning and scheduling much easier.

There are a couple of safety precautions that every parent in your carpooling group should do. You should create an emergency contact sheet with names and contact information. This way everyone knows that their child will be taken care of, in case of an emergency. It is also important to write down any relevant safety information. For example, you should include any of the children’s food allergies. Make sure your car is maintained. This is a simple and easy way to prevent accidents. You should get your oil changed, rotate your tires, and inspect tire air pressure level.

You must make sure each of the children is following basic safety rules. If you need booster seats, make sure that the booster seats are installed correctly. Do not drive unless you are sure that each child has buckled up. Buckling up will protect the children. As a driver, you should minimize any distractions. You are carrying precious cargo. Avoid any distractions like eating, texting, or talking. It can be difficult to handle a car from children, but do not try to parent and drive. If you must intervene in an argument, pull over. You do not want to risk an accident.

To make carpooling easier, you should see if your school has any special transportation rules. Many schools have special rules regarding speed limits. There are also designated pick-up and drop-off locations. Keeping on top of these rules will make your carpooling experience stress free.

You should always be on time. The other parents and children are counting on you. There may be differences in parenting styles. It might be best to keep your opinions to yourself. Just make sure that your child is safe.

The Law Offices of Dara Khajavihopes that his primer on carpooling was helpful. Please call us if you were involved in a car accident. Our expert Orange car accident lawyers are fully prepared to handle any case.

Texting and Walking: Dangerous Combination

A new study shows that texting while walking is just as dangerous as texting while driving.

It has already been established texting while driving is dangerous. However, a recent study on the impact of pedestrian crossing behavior shows that texting while crossing streets is just as dangerous. According to the new study, “texting pedestrians took 1.87 additional seconds to cross the average intersection (3.4 lanes), compared to the undistracted pedestrians.”

In this study, University of Washington researchers monitored Seattle’s busiest intersections. They concluded that distractions such as mobile use increases crossing times. The researchers specifically single out text messaging as the most distracting and dangerous. In the research, the researchers also state that pedestrians that are texting are approximately four times more likely to ignore lights or fail to look both ways before crossing the street.

There have been multiple cases of pedestrian injuries due to mobile phone distraction. Last year, a woman was caught on camera walking into a fountain because she was on her phone. Another man nearly ran into a bear while he was texting his boss. Yet another man was caught on tape. This man was so engrossed in his conversation on the phone that he fell into train tracks.

More and more American citizens have smart phones. Smart phones have changed the world. This device makes communication instant, and each individual is now constantly connected to the internet. However, all this advancement in technology comes with a price. Individual seem not to be able to put their phones down. Americans’ smart phone addiction is increasing our daily distraction. These distractions affect our safety on the road and on the crosswalk.

It is important to remember how distracting mobile devices. Drivers and Pedestrians should restrain from mobile device use. In 2010, there were 3092 fatalities in crashes involving distracted drivers. 18% of injury crashes were distraction related crashes. These accidents would be avoided if drivers and pedestrians would focus.

Car accidents dramatically affect those involved. They can result in car repair bills, medical bills, and emotional trauma. If you were involved in an accident because of a distracted driver or pedestrian, there are legal resources available. An expert car accident lawyer can help you seek damages for any losses you may have experienced.

The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi is fully equipped to assist you through this difficult time. Our expert Orange County car accident lawyers have handled countless car accident cases. Please call us today for a free consultation. There will be absolutely no charges until your case is won.

How to Handle Getting Pulled Over

It’s a beautiful day, and you’re driving with a friend. All of a sudden, you see in your rear mirror that a police man is pulling you over. This can be a little terrifying. Your heart probably stopped beating for a second. You have never been pulled over. You do not know what to do. Well, now what?

Stay calm. Pull over at the closest safest location. Do not cruise past safe spots. The police officer may think that you are stalling time so that you can stash something illegal. Do not stop in the middle of the road. Pull over to a location that will not put you or the police officer in danger.

Gather all your information. The police officer will want to see your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. You should have these documents ready.

Stay in your vehicle. Police offers may think you are trying to attack them, if you exit the vehicle. There is no need to get out of the officer. The police officer will come to your vehicle. You should only get out of your vehicle if the officer asks you to get out.

When the officer is speaking to you, you should keep your hands on the steering wheel. Officers are trained to focus on your hands. If you keep your hands out of sight, the officer may think you are hiding a weapon.

Be polite, no matter what. The police officer may be rude, but do not pick a fight. Always answer the questions truthfully. Do not be aggressive. You could be arrested for disorderly conduct or assaulting an officer if you are as seen as overly aggressive.

After the officer has your information, he or she will go back to the cop car to run your information through a database. Stay calm. This may seem like it takes forever, but it really is only a few minutes.

The officer will ask you to sign the ticket. Just sign the ticket. You are not admitting guilt. The signature is just proof that you received the ticket. You can still dispute the ticket in traffic court.

You have survived receiving a ticket. Now, just focus on driving safely and carefully. Do not let the ticket distract you from driving!

The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi hopes that this was helpful. Our Orange County car accident lawyers hope that you have a great weekend. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need a consultation!

Toontown Explosion

A dry ice “bomb” exploded inside Disneyland’s Toontown on Tuesday evening.

The dry ice was left in a plastic bottle in a trash can in Toontown. The explosion was contained by the trash can. Similar dry ice devices have exploded in Anaheim neighborhoods in recent months. However, police are still unsure if there is any connection between those explosions and the Toontown blast. Investigators are still trying to determine if the dry ice device was purposely left.

There was a loud bang when the dry ice exploded. Witnesses said that it sounded like a gunshot but much louder. After the explosion, security surrounded the trash can. The explosion occurred around 5:30 p.m. Disneyland officials and employees were working with local authorities to deal with the explosion.

The Anaheim Police Department reported quickly to the scene. Police and security evacuated Disneyland visitors from Toontown. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s bomb squad also reported to the scene. The Anaheim Fire Department did not respond to the incident. Officers scoured the scene for evidence.

2 hours later the area was deemed safe. Authorities reopened Toontown around 7:30 p.m. Thankfully, there were no injuries from the explosion. The trash can contained the explosion and prevented any shrapnel from flying into the air. Toontown is an area popular among families and young children. The injuries from this explosion could have been quite severe.

After the area was cleared, authorities left the area. Some park visitors were upset that there was not more security or increased police presence after the explosion. The family friendly park usually has tight security. Disneyland Park has rarely had safety issues.

Authorities are still reviewing evidence. Investigators are reviewing video surveillance footage. They will also be examining Internet postings and social media for any relevant evidence about the explosion. Investigators have not yet established a possible motive or if and why Toontown was targeted.

Disneyland is a popular tourist location in Southern California. Thousands of people visit Disneyland every day. The park often has long waits for its popular rides. A large explosion and large crowds of people would have been a dangerous combination. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the explosion.

If you are ever injured because of another individual’s negligence, you may want to contact an Anaheim personal injury lawyer. Personal injury cases can be difficult and complicated. The right lawyer can guide you through the difficult proceedings.

Daydreaming and Driving

A new study by the Erie Insurance Group finds that daydreaming can significantly contributes to car accident risk.

Psychologists estimate that we daydream anywhere from one-third to half of our waking hours. Daydreaming is a normal part of the human nature. Unfortunately, daydreaming on the road can be an incredibly dangerous habit. In a recent study, researchers found that daydreaming can dramatically increase risk of a fatal car accident.

In this study, the Erie Insurance Group examined 65,000 fatal accidents that occurred in the U.S. in the past two years. The Erie Insurance Group found that you are five times more likely to be in a fatal crash if you were daydreaming than if you were distracted by an electronic device.

Researchers found that daydreaming or being “lost in thought” contributed to 62% of the fatal crashes. Daydreaming affects driving in different ways. Usually, daydreaming does not affect the car speed. Instead, it affects drivers by delaying reaction time. Drivers that are daydreaming tend to stay at one speed longer instead of slowing down or speeding up when appropriate. Daydreaming drivers may also not respond in time to avoid cars unexpectedly changing lanes in front of them. A driver should constantly scan the road, but a daydreaming driver tends to focus only forward.

To combat daydreaming while driving, remember and recognize the risks of daydreaming while driving. Knowledge and awareness are key to prevent daydreaming while driving. Remind yourself how dangerous driving can be. This can help you remain focused on the road. Drive defensively while on the road. Look for any drivers that look dangerous drivers weaving in and out of traffic. Defensive driving will keep you alert and focused on the road.

Next time you day dream try to figure out what caused you to daydream. This can help you overcome your daydreaming. Take note of what you were doing when you started daydreaming. Were you stuck in traffic? Did you have a lot to do? Realizing what causes you to daydream will help you stop daydreaming.

While driving, it is important to always focus on the road. Do not let your mind wonder. Practice focusing on the road. If you notice your attention slipping, force yourself to focus. Focusing on the road will make it much safer for you to drive on the road. If you find yourself having difficulty focusing, simply pull over. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

If you are ever in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact an Orange County car accident lawyer.

The Recall Process

The investigation and recall process has 4 steps. Before the investigation starts, it is important that all consumers report any safety complaints. Without these reports, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s, NHTSA, would not be able to recall any vehicles.

There are three ways to submit a complaint:

Send a paper report to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)
Submit a complaint online
Call the vehicle safety hotline

Reports submitted are entered into the NHTSA consumer complaint automated database. The report is catalogued by vehicle make, model, model year, manufacturer, defect, assembly, and system. All of these complaints are listed online, without your personal information. If you file a complaint, an ODI investigator may contact you. The investigator will want to clarify information in your report. Check the ODI website or call the hotline if you have any questions. The ODI may launch an investigation based on the reports.

The ODI’s investigation process has four parts.

Screening

In the ODI, the Defects Assessment Division, DAD, is responsible for going through the reports, any emails, letters, anonymous reports, and manufacturer submitted information. The DAD will also investigate service bulletins, foreign recalls, customer satisfaction, and consumer advisories.

Petition Analysis

After screening, the ODI will deal with petitions. Anyone can submit a petition requesting that the NHTSA open an investigation into a possible safety defect. The ODI will conduct a technical analysis of the petition. If the petition is granted, a defect investigation is opened. When the petition is denied, it is published in the Federal Register.

Investigation

There are two phases of the investigation: Preliminary Evaluation and the Engineering Analysis.

The first step is opened because of information submitted by DAD. During the Preliminary Evaluation stage, the ODI will obtain relevant info from the manufacturer. This information could be anything from complaints to reports of crashes. The first stage is an opportunity for the car manufacturer to defend their product. This stage usually only lasts for about four months. If the ODI believes that more investigation into the product is necessary, the office enters into the next phase.

The Engineering Analysis phase is the more intensive analysis phase. Investigators will determine the full scope of the alleged defects. There are inspections, tests, and surveys done. If the ODI determines that there is an alleged defect, investigators will present all the information to a panel of experts. The panel of experts will analyze all the information. If the panel decides that a recall is necessary, the ODI will notify the car manufacturer. This is the last opportunity for the car manufacturer to defend its product. If there is no further information, the ODI will send a Recall Request letter to the manufacturer.

Recall Management

The last step of the recall is Recall Management. The Recall Management Division (RMD) is responsible for maintaining administrative records of recalls and monitoring recalls to ensure that the scope is appropriate. If the recall is not effective, there may be another investigation into the recall.

If you are in an accident because of a recalled vehicle, you may want to contact a Santa Ana car accident lawyer.

Doggy Travel 101

We all love and adore our dogs. We want to bring them with us everywhere even on vacation. Unfortunately, traveling with dogs can be difficult. Here are some tips to make traveling with a pet easy!

Preparing for the trip

Make sure your furry friend is wearing a collar with an ID tag. The ID tag should have your phone number and an emergency contact. You should also get you’re a dog microchipped. The microchip is a tiny electronic device that contains a unique identification number. Your dog won’t even know it is there! Make sure it is registered with up to date contact information. These measures will make it easier to find your dog if it gets lost.

You will need to pack for your dog. Bring food, dishes, leashes, blankets, and baggies. It also helps to bring treats for your furry friend. You should also bring washcloths to clean your pup in case it runs in the mud.

If you are driving, you should take breaks to let your dog run around and relieve itself. Remember to give it plenty of water, and try to keep it on its regular feeding schedule. Do not ever leave your dog in the car. The car heats up, and your dog could get sick.

Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is a problem for many pets. Common symptoms of motion sickness are excessive drooling, panting, or frequent swallowing. It can affect a dog on a car, train, or boat. If you have time, try to get your dog accustomed to being in a car. Take them on short car rides to somewhere fun like a park. Eventually, your dog will associate car rides with someone positive. Pet harnesses can also minimize car sickness. If your dog still experiences motion sickness, you may want to buy a motion sickness drug for dogs. Ask your vet for recommendations

Proper car restraints

Letting your dog run free in a car can be dangerous. In the case of an accident, your dog will probably be ejected forward and could be seriously injured. Loose dogs can also be quite distracting. Your furry friend may try to eat your snacks or try to crawl into your lap. Investing in a pet harness or carrier will make driving much easier and safer.

Flying

If you plan on flying with your pup, you should reserve a spot for your furry friend. Airlines usually have specific requirements for dogs. There may be a crate size requirement and a vaccination requirement. You may have to supply medical information about your dog. Ask your vet for medication requirements. There is motion sickness medication and anti-anxiety medication for dogs. Pheromone sprays can also help calm dogs down.

When you should leave your dog at home

Unfortunately, not every dog should travel. Dogs with medical problems may not be suit for travel. Ask your vet on how to handle serious medical problems while on vacation. Certain dogs have difficulty flying. Dogs like boxers, bulldogs, and pugs may experience difficulty breathing at high elevations. Check with your vet if your dog is ok to fly or travel.

These safety tips should help your pet safely travel! Follow these tips and you’ll have a great vacation. If you are ever in a car accident, contact an Orange County car accident lawyer.

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