BWG Consumer Alert: April 2011

Playing the Baseball Season Safe
Major League Baseball has opened its season and baseball players of all ages are stepping up to the plate in Massachusetts. Breakstone, White & Gluck wants you and your family to play it safe and enjoy the game.

Here we offer our safety tips:  

• Batting helmets must be worn whenever a player is waiting to bat, is at bat or is running the bases.
• Instruct players to always stay focused on the batter, even when they are not actively involved in the game.
• Baseball bats made out of aluminum or composite materials propel the balls faster and harder than wooden bats. Parents should be aware of the difference and check which type of bat their child's league permits.           
• Younger players should use balls that are partly rubberized to minimize the risk of injury.
• Make sure pitchers follow league requirements for the number of innings they can throw. For the pitch count limits recommended by Youth USA Little League and the American Sports Medicine Institute, click here.

Click here for more baseball safety tips.

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Watch For Player Concussions
Players who suffer a concussion in baseball need time to heal before returning to play. Failing to give a concussion the right amount of recovery time can have long-term consequences, which is why some states like Massachusetts have passed legislation requiring written clearance from a medical professional before student athletes return to the field. Massachusetts' legislation, passed in July 2010, also requires coaches and parents to attend a sports head injury and concussion awareness program.   
 
Behaviors parents should monitor in baseball players after an injury:

• Headaches or "pressure" in the head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Complaints about double or blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Grogginess
• Concentration and memory problems
• Confusion
• Overemotional, nervous or anxious behavior

Click here for more behaviors both parents and coaches should watch carefully.

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Beware of Mold in Your Home
As the snow melts and the rain begins each spring, many people discover they are living with mold in their basements and homes. Mold spores land on wet areas of your home and quickly cause health problems, such as allergic reactions, asthma attacks and hay fever symptoms, such as sneezing, red eyes and skin rashes.

Prevent mold growth in your home with these tips from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

• When water leaks or spills indoors, dry it up within 24 to 48 hours.            
• Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
• Keep indoor humidity low, ideally between 30 and 50 percent relative humidity. Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture or humidty meter, which can be purchased for $10 to $50 at most hardware stores.
• You can reduce humidity by using air conditioners and de-humidifiers when needed.
• You can also reduce humidity by running the bathroom fan and opening the window when showering. In the kitchen, use the exhaust fan and open windows when cooking, running the dishwasher or washing dishes.
• Do not allow condensation to build up on cold surfaces. Cover surfaces such as basement floors, windows and pipes with insulation.
• Do not install carpeting where there is an ongoing moisture problem, including near sinks or on concrete floors with leaks and frequent condensation.
• Be aware that mold can grow on any surface where moisture is present. This includes wood, carpet, foods and paper.
• If you have mold in your home, click here for a guide from the EPA about mold cleanup. You may be able to clean up a mold growth that is 3 feet by 3 feet. If the growth is larger, involves sewage, contaminated water or an HVAC system, you may want to consult a professional.</li></ul><a href=" http:="" www.epa.gov="" mold="" whattowear.html="">Click here for the proper protection to wear for mold cleanup.

Click here for the EPA's guide to mold.