Are Hoverboards Safe for Consumers?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is a United States agency whose aim is to protect consumers from unsafe products that can result in injuries or death when used. The CPSC works with companies to help create voluntary industry-specific safety standards and, in some cases, will impose mandatory restrictions when voluntary ones cannot be agreed upon.

As a preventative measure, the CPSC has the authority to ban products altogether if no amount of safety standards would protect the general public from unnecessary injuries. They may also issue recalls to reduce the risk of further injuries when a product is known to be unsafe.

When a Product’s Safety Is Unknown

In some cases, the CPSC may receive enough complaints from consumers that warrantan investigation into the safety of a particular product. When a product’s safety is questionable, the CPSC will conduct a variety of safety tests at their National Product Testing and Evaluation Center in Rockville, Maryland.

The results of these tests will determine what, if any, safety standards the CPSC will set. In January 2016, the CPSC saw a surge in the number of consumer complaints about hoverboards. These boards allow riders to “drive” by using the subtle movement of their torsos, legs, and feet.

 

image:en.wikipedia.org

The number of hoverboards that made their way into U.S. households over the holiday season resulted in a huge increase in accidents causing injury, that brought into question the safety of these so-called smartboards.

Hoverboard Fires

To date, dozens of indoor and outdoor fires have resulted from the use of hoverboards, or self-balance boards as they are also called. While no one has been seriously injured in these incidents, fires caused by smartboards can lead to serious injuries or even death.

In order to address the public’s concern regarding hoverboards, the CPSC has begun testing the safety of several self-balancing boards including those made or sold by:

·         Hoverboard360.com

·         Uwheels

·         E-Rover Smart Balance Wheel

·         YOOLIKED

·         One Stop Electronic Inc.

This is just a sample of the approximately one dozen retailers and/or manufacturers the CPSC is actively investigating for safety.

 

Investigating the Cause of Hoverboard Fires

At this time, the CSPC doesn’t know what is causing hoverboards to burst into flames. However, their investigation has been heavily focused on the lithium-ion battery packs these units use as well as the circuit board that helps operate them. Overheating and ultimately combustion can result in products that use lithium-ion batteries without proper safety designs that prevent them from getting too hot.

 

Additional Safety Hazards

The CSPC isn’t just concerned about the risk of fire when using hoverboards. They’ve also taken notice of the rise of emergency room visits and serious injuries sustained by consumers when riding the self-balance boards.

As such, the CSPC has broadened the scope of their investigation to include the potential for falls when operating a hoverboard.

 

What is Being Done to Protect Consumers?

As the CSPC looks into fire and fall risks associated with hoverboards, a number of companies, groups, and agencies are taking a proactive approach to protect consumers. The world’s largest online retailer, Amazon, has voluntarily offered refunds to customers who return self-balance boards purchased through their site. 

Colleges and universities are banning hoverboard usage on campus to keep students safe from potential falls and fires that could quickly spread.

A number of government agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation, are working closely with the CSPC in an attempt to put an end to fire and fall hazards as soon as possible.

Since there are currently no set safety standards for hoverboards, consumers are strongly urged to use caution when riding one. Some things consumers can do to reduce their risk of injury include keeping a working fire extinguisher nearby, wearing protective gear, and keeping away from roadways.

Read more...

What to Do Before Divorce

The decision to divorce should never be entered into lightly. Whether your marriage fell into ill repair over the last few years or became irretrievably broken over a single event, there are a number of steps you should take if you ultimately decide to file for divorce.

Although a divorce is often an emotionally trying time, it is also an occasion to aggressively protect your financial interests. The financial ramifications of divorce can have lasting effects on your fiscal health. If you prepare for divorce ahead of time, you stand a better chance of securing an outcome that makes it easier for you to transition and begin rebuilding your life.

Start Collecting Records

While you still have access to bank statements, pay checks, tax returns, credit card bills, and other financial documents, make sure to gather them and keep them in a secure location. Identifying documents like social security cards, marriage licenses, and birth certificates are also helpful to collect at this point since you will need them when you proceed with your divorce.

 

image:losangeles-orangecountylawyer.com

Hire a Divorce Attorney

Before serving your spouse with divorce papers,speak with The Law Offices of Damian Nolan. They will advise you on what to expect as you enter a divorce including any additional steps you should take before filing. A divorce attorney will also work on your behalf to protect your financial interests. When you are ready to file, your attorney can help you draft your petition and be ready to take the next steps when your spouse answers your complaint.

Get a P.O. Box

To keep communications confidential prior to filing for divorce, make sure you route your mail to a different location. Opening a P.O. Box is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to ensure your privacy as you work with your lawyer in preparation for filing.

Set up Your Own Accounts

If you currently have joint accounts with your spouse, you will want to establish accounts in your name alone. This will give you the opportunity to deposit your paychecks into your own account and ensure your money is kept safe and secure. Depending on the state in which you live, your divorce attorney may also advise you to withdraw half of the money in any joint accounts you hold with your spouse. 

At this point, you should also pull your credit report and note any recent account openings that you were not aware of. Continue to monitor your credit report for any unauthorized changes. Consider establishing your own credit outside of the marriage as a way to launch your financial independence separate of your spouse.

Keep Your Children in Mind

If you and your spouse have children together, always remember to keep their best interests in mind as you begin the divorce process. While you want to make sure you leave your divorce as financially stable as possible, you also want to keep your children as a main priority. Should your divorce result in a custody dispute, you will want to ensure you have acted in a manner that shows you as a responsible and suitable parent.

Read more...

Las Vegas Divorces & Child Custody

When couples get married, their marriage is recognized at the state level. When marriages break down and end in divorce, each state also has their own laws that govern divorces. The restrictions and requirements regarding divorces can vary a great deal from state to state. Historically, Nevada has relatively lenient divorce laws compared to other states.

 

image:en.wikipedia.org

Although most of the Las Vegas laws that surround divorce are straightforward, it is still important couples understand each of them as they make the important decision to dissolve their marriage. 

No Fault Divorces in Las Vegas

The state of Nevada is strictly a No Fault Divorce state. This means all Las Vegas couples file for a no fault divorce. A no fault divorce is one that does not place blame on either spouse. Instead, irreconcilable differences or incompatibility is cited as as the reason for ending the marriage.

Although neither spouse is considered responsible for the marriage’s end, a reason for the divorce still needs to be stated as the official grounds for divorce. In Nevada, this is formally referred to as “irretrievable breakdown.”

No fault divorces can be easier to navigate since neither spouse is attempting to place blame on the other for behaviors or actions that ultimately caused the end of the marriage. Even still, a Las Vegas divorce attorney can help explain the Nevada divorce process and advise you on your rights. And, if children are involved, it is always beneficial to have an attorney help you understand issues involving child custody and support. 

Other Ways to End a Marriage

While Nevada only recognizes no fault divorces, some couples can end a marriage via annulment. There are only a few circumstances where a marriage can be annulled:

1.   Consent not given (usually involving minors)

2.   Incapacity (lack of understanding in entering the marriage)

3.   Fraud

If any of these can be proven, a spouse can seek an annulment rather than a divorce in Nevada.

 

Filing for Divorce

In order to file for divorce in Nevada, at least one spouse must be a resident of the state for at least six weeks. Once this residency requirement is met, either spouse can file a Complaint for Divorce. After the complaint is filed, the named spouse will need to be served with divorce papers.

If both parties can agree on matters involving property division, child support and custody, the process of divorcing in Las Vegas can be done quickly. After all relevant issues have been sorted out, a Final Decree of Divorce will be entered. There is no waiting period at this time for Las Vegas couples seeking a divorce. Once the divorce decree is entered, the marriage is over and the couple is officially divorced.

Read more...

Tips on Helping Your Child Develop Good Study Habits

One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to encourage your child to develop good study habits. Your child should start valuing education and hard work from an early age. Only if you manage to help them do this, will they be on the right path and achieve career success once they all grown up. The skills a child picks up at such an early age will help grow into an independent and hard working person. Follow these tips if you want your child to start learning at such early age.

Choose the study area

Many children do not have designated study area and because of that, they face much distraction while studying. If you want your child to study properly, help them decide on the studying area. Child’s room and dining room table are the best places you can choose, since there is nothing else that can take away their attention. If there is no desk in the child’s room, make sure you get one as soon as possible. Children learn more efficiently if there is enough space for them to do so. Also, make sure there are many studying supplies like pencils, paper, sharpeners etc. In fact, what you can do is make it your child’s responsibility to supply the desk with stuff like that.

Organize school projects and homework

Another way you can help is to make sure your child does not forget about any obligations. Get a large calendar and put it up on the wall. Also, pick up colored markers so your child can mark the dates of all the tests and school projects. Another good thing to do is to tear calendar apart, and make it your child’s job to up the new piece every month. This way, there is another responsibility that will help you encourage hard work and proper studying habits.

Turn off all the electronics

Children today learn with the TV on and their phone right next to them. No matter how much these are important for our everyday lives they should be turned off during the study time. Some of them even like to study with the music on. Even though many people think music is another distraction, many children can learn all right with the music on. Try both of these ways and see how your child is going to react. Also, make sure any devices like mobile phones or tablets are far away from the desk. Only let your child use the phone if there is a need to consult about the homework with a friend.

Help your child gain confidence for the tests

Taking tests is a real troublesome experience for most of the children. It is up to you to make sure your child feels confident and ready to take the test. Make it clear that sleeping enough the night before the test is really important. Another thing you should do is to mention how important it is to go through directions carefully and pay much attention on every question.

Start as early as possible

Even though many parents believe their children are too young to start developing studying habits, this is does not seem to be the case. Parents should actually display good examples way before child starts going to school. So if you have a small child, make sure you read to them enough. Choose some interesting subjects they he or she will want to learn more about. Also, this might increase your child’s will to start learning how to read. Another good thing to do is to sign up your child for Montessori educational program. There is a program designed especially for any age.

All of these things will help your child develop proper studying habits and make him or her responsible person one day. But do not stop there. Always search for some new ways you can help your child become more responsible.

Read more...