Worker Killed in Construction of Barclays Center Green Roof
An iron worker was killed recently when huge steel beams slipped and fell as they were being lifted to the roof of the Barclays Center from the back of a truck. The 52-year-old was a subcontractor working with the crew constructing a vegetative green roof for the Brooklyn arena.
According to another construction worker on the site, the truck driver allegedly unhooked the top heavy load of heavy beams without direction when four of the beams fell on the iron worker. The man was taken to the Brooklyn Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
FDA Investigates Stroke and Heart Attack Risk in Men Taking Popular “Low-T” Drugs
Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a number of products intended to treat low testosterone, or “low-T,” in men. Reports of an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and death in men who use these products, however, recently prompted the FDA to announce an investigation into the effects of these drugs on the patients who take them.
The FDA launched its investigation after two separate studies were published in late 2013 and early 2014, both of which suggested that men who were prescribed testosterone therapy might face an increased risk of dangerous cardiac conditions. The studies identified an increased risk of approximately 30 percent of stroke, heart attack, and death in older men who were prescribed testosterone supplements. One study found that the risk appeared to be highest within the first 90 days the patients were taking the medication.
Some Heart Doctors Prescribe Caution in Use of Xarelto
The blood thinning medication Xarelto has been heralded as a breakthrough for patients with certain heart conditions and risk of stroke. Prior to the release of Xarelto and a related medication, Pradaxa, few blood-thinning medication options existed. Those that did, like warfarin, required constant monitoring of patients and could cause side effects that were severe or even deadly if patients were not carefully watched.
The new blood thinners, including Xarelto, were originally touted as medications that would require less monitoring. However, some top cardiologists are urging caution in prescribing these medications. Growing reports of injury and death related to Xarelto and Pradaxa use has led some doctors to realize that, without more careful monitoring, the “new” blood thinning medications are no safer for patients than the “old” ones, according to a recent Reuters article published in the Huffington Post.
Six Killed in Tragic NY Commuter Train Crash
Five passengers aboard a Metro-North commuter train and the driver of an SUV were tragically killed Tuesday evening when the train collided with the black SUV, which had become stuck between the crossing gates in Valhalla. Fifteen other passengers were injured, some with serious burn injuries.
Federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are combing through evidence to determine how the crash occurred, gathering data from the train and crossing gate events recorders, as well as witness testimonies, medical records and highway conditions at the time of the collision.
NHTSA Joins With Automakers to Announce Massive Air Bag Recall
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and several automakers recently announced a recall that affects over 2.1 million vehicles in the United States. The recall focuses on problems in the vehicles’ air bag systems that have caused injuries and that may be responsible for as many as six deaths, according to a NHTSA spokesperson.
The recall affects vehicles in model years 2002, 2003, and 2004. These include the 2003 Acura MDX, the 2003 and 2004 Honda Odyssey, the 2003 and 2004 Toyota Corolla, Matrix, and Avalon, and certain 2003 and 2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles from a plant that assembled both Toyota and General Motors vehicles. The 2003 and 2004 Dodge Viper are covered by the recall, as well as the 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty and the 2002, 2003, and 2004 Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee.
Recent Pradaxa Studies Indicate a Greater Risk of Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Two studies published in 2013 and 2014 indicate that the risks of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients taking Pradaxa (dabigatran) may be higher than the risks faced by patients who take another blood-thinning medication such as Coumadin (warfarin).
In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Pradaxa to help prevent blood clots and strokes in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, a common type of heart rhythm problem. In 2012, the FDA announced an investigation into incidents of internal bleeding suffered by patients who took Pradaxa. Although the FDA noted that clinical trials comparing Pradaxa to other blood thinners showed similar bleeding risks, the agency stated that it was looking into whether the risks on Pradaxa were actually higher than the trials had indicated.
January is New York’s Most Dangerous Month for Home Fires
Home fires caused by heating equipment escalate considerably in January, making the first month of the year the most dangerous in terms of house fires and serious burn injuries caused by home heating elements, according to the United States Fire Administration (USFA).
While hidden defects in home heating equipment can cause harm, so can using equipment that is not installed or maintained properly. The USFA recommends that New York families take several steps to reduce the risk of fire and burn injuries during the chilly winter months.
Protect Yourself from Burn Injuries in Tanning Beds: Know the Risks
Indoor tanning often comes with warnings about its risks. Just like tanning under natural sunlight, indoor tanning exposes the skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is known to increases the chances of skin cancer and other disorders. However, fewer tanning salons warn customers of the risk of an equally serious problem: severe burns and eye damage caused by overexposure to tanning beds.
According to a recent study cited by WebMD, about 3,200 people seek emergency room treatment each year after being injured in a tanning bed. Eighty percent of the injuries suffered are first- or second-degree burns to the skin or eyes. People with light skin tones were more likely to suffer burns than those with darker skin, and young adults ages 18 to 24 were more likely to be injured than older adults, the study found.
Four Ways to Keep Elderly Loved Ones Safe from Burn Injuries
Fire, burn, and scald injuries can harm all Americans, regardless of age – but statistics show that elderly people are more likely to die in a fire than their younger family members. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), in 2010, adults age 65 and older made up 35 percent of all deaths in fires, even though they represent only 13 percent of the population as a whole.
This holiday season, give your elderly loved ones the gift of greater safety and peace of mind by helping them reduce their risk of fire and burn injuries. Here’s how:
Travel Safely This Holiday Season! Here’s How
This holiday season, the American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that over 46 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles by car. Millions of others will board trains, planes or buses in order to reach their holiday destinations.
If you’re traveling this holiday season, you can help reduce your risk of injury or illness by keeping a few basic safety tips in mind:
- If your seat has a seat belt, use it! During the Thanksgiving holiday in 2012, 60 percent of people killed in vehicle crashes were not wearing a seat belt at the time even though one was available, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. If you’re driving, require your passengers to buckle up, and double-check children’s car seats to make sure they are correctly installed.