Professor Dave: Everything you need to know about Statutes of Limitation

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Attorney David Betras

BKM Managing Partner David Betras

In this episode of Legally Speaking on WFMJ Today, Professor David Betras convenes another session of his popular “Shade Tree” Law School. The topic of todays lecture: Statutes of Limitations: what they are and how they impact both civil and criminal law.

We invite you to take notes, remind you that no gum chewing is allowed in class, and emphasize that there will NOT be a quiz at the end of lesson…
Good morning class. As you may have noticed, a few lawsuits have been filed over the past week related to the explosion that nearly destroyed the Realty Building, killed on person, and seriously injured others.
The timing of the filing is interesting because it coincides with the impending expiration of the two-year statute of limitations that apply to many civil suits.
With that as preface, let’s dig in.
First, the time span for civil and criminal cases is wildly different. In general negligence suits like the ones pending against the Realty Building carry a two yar limit. But, because we’re speaking about the law, there are exceptions that could extend the time period by two years.
In cases dealing with contracts the limit is generally eight years, ten years is fraud is involved.
Medical, legal, accounting and other types of professional malpractice have a one-year limit that under certain circumstances can be extended to two or more but may never exceed four years.
In criminal cases the limits are longer. For example, there is no statute of limitations for murder. In Ohio, the statute for rape is 25 years. If DNA is found, however, charges must be brought five years after the DNA has been discovered.
Most other serious criminal offenses carry statutes ranging from five to eight years although some factors, including the age of the victim, may extend the time limit for a particular crime.
The principle behind all this is the government’s desire to spur people to exercise their rights under the law in a reasonable amount of time.
If you do not, you commit “laches” which means you have waited so long to file a claim or seek relief in court that you are no longer permitted to file the claim. In short, it’s use it or lose it.
So that’s sort of the down and dirty of statute of limitations. In the Realty Building explosion, three cases have been filed in the last week—a full two years after the incident.
It’s important to note that waiting until the last minute to file does not necessarily weaken a case, but filing early ensures that evidence is preserved and witnesses are deposed before their memories fade. That’s why we routinely issue preservation of evidence demands when we are involved in a negligence case.
That notification can be critical because if the defendants in a case destroy evidence that works to our benefit because it infers the evidence would have helped us.
Finally, I’m often asked why the limits are what they are, particularly in civil matters. The easy—and the right answer—is insurance companies. They spend a lot of time and money lobbying legislators across the country to shorten limits because doing so protects their clients and makes it more difficult for injured people to seek and secure justice
I’d be remiss, however, if I didn’t place some of the blame for the convoluted system on my own profession. The more complicated we make certain aspects of the law, the more likely it is that people will need to hire an attorney.
That’s it, class dismissed, and thanks for attending Professor Dave’s Shade Tree Law School.
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Frank Cassese comments on the new Netflix hit, The Crash

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The Crash, the #2 movie in Netflix’s global rankings, was the fascinating subject of this episode of Legally Speaking on WFMJ Today.
The documentary delves into the details surrounding a horrific car crash in nearby Strongsville, Ohio in 2022 that took the lives of 20-year-old Dominic Russo and Damion Flanagan aged 19 and left the driver of the vehicle which hit a brick wall at 100 MPH, 17-year-old Mackenzie Shirilla critically injured.
Initially regarded as a tragic accident, forensic evidence from the car’s “black box” and statements given to police by friends of Shirilla and Russo who had been in a romantic relationship for years, soon mae the 17-year-old survivor the subject of a homicide investigation.
Eventually, Shirilla was indicted on 12 counts, including murder and aggravated vehicular homicide.
During her trial in 2023 she claimed she had blacked out while driving due to Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a medical conditioin which causes dizziness, rapid heartbeat, fainting, and loss of consciousness.
The judge presiding over the bench trial—Shirilla chose not to have a jury trial—found her guilty on all counts. She was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years.
According to respected criminal defense attorney Frank Cassese, in the vast majority of cases like this, Shirilla would have been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide. You can watch the segment here: https://youtu.be/nB1gEuixxhY
In this instance, however, Shirilla was charged with aggravated murder. He said it was interesting to watch how the detectives investigating the crash constructed the case.
They started by examining data from the vehicle’s black box which revealed she was traveling at 100 MPH and never hit the brakes before hitting the wall.
They also have a of the car roaring down the street just before the crash. The video doesn’t show the impact, but it can be heard clearly.
The police then dissected Shirilla’s vast social media presence.
Her friends maintain that Shirilla was simply following the trends that attract followers. But some people viewing the content could have come away with the impression that whe was cold, calculating, and callous.
According to Atty. Cassese, Shirilla has all but exhausted her appeals. And while he doesn’t like to Monday Morning Quarterback decisions made by other lawyers, he says he would have opted for a jury trial rather than having the case heard by a judge.
He also commented on whether the documentary would influence the judges who are considering her final appeal.
For better or worse, this kind of documentary and other true crime shows are a fact of life in today’s legal system.
Look at the Karen Reed trial. She did a documentary before her first trial which ended in a hung jury and the start of her second trial which resulted in an acquittal. So, maybe it worked to her advantage.
In Shirilla’s case, her social media and the documentary have generated interest in and contributions to her Go Fund Me page so she has the money she needs to hire attorneys to continue to fight her conviction. So all the attention is, in a manner of speaking, paying off.
Frank concluded by noting that Shirilla’s father who is a teacher was put on administrative leave by the school district he works for because of comments he made during interviews that appear in the film. I’m interested in how that will play out because honestly, it was a father using his First Amendment rights to defend his child. Frankly, that’s what he’s supposed to do.
But at the end of the day, I feel for the people on both sides because they all lost so much.
I really do recommend the film and I urge everyone to set aside the time to watch.
If you enjoy this episode and our other content please do us a sollid by mashing the “Like,” “Share,” and “Subscribe” buttons–thanks for watching, we appreciate your support.

Attorney Frank Cassese comments on the reversal of Alex Murdaugh’s murder conviction and the dangers of jury tampering

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In this episode of Legally Speaking on WFMJ Today, BK Shareholder, SuperLawyer, and respected criminal defense attorney Frank Cassese provides perspective on the South Carolina Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the conviction of Alex Murdaugh, the prominent personal injury lawyer found guilty of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul at their home in 2021.

Murdaugh’s 2023 trial garnered worldwide media attention rivaling the O.J. Simpson case. After being found guilty by a jury, Murdaugh was sentenced to two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole.
But, in a shocking turn of events, South Carolina’ high court, citing jury tampering and misconduct by the court clerk during the original trial, overturned the verdict and ordered that Murdaugh be retried.

According to Attorney Cassese, allegations of jury tampering by the clerk of courts assigned to the case arose during the trial. The Supreme Court found the clerk had improperly attempted to influence the jury during the proceedings. That finding led to the reversal of the Murdaugh’s conviction.

Attorney Cassese explained that jury tampering is the number one “no-no” in criminal and civil cases.

“Jury deliberations are very sacred,” Atty. Cassese said. “So it is an egregious violation to tamper with that process.”

Frank noted that even though his murder conviction has been overturned, Murdaugh has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for financial crimes he committed during his legal career. So even though the Supreme Court has ordered a new trial, Murdaugh won’t be getting out of prison any time soon. “That means he could go back to court, be acquitted of the murder charges and still remain in prison for the rest of his life.”

“As a trial lawyer, someone attempting to improperly influence a jury is one of the biggest concerns you can ever have,” Atty. Cassese continued.

“There were allegations that the court clerk in question had a stake in the outcome of the trial because she had negotiated a deal to write a book about the crime and the trial. That’s what led to the reversal,” he said.

Frank then discussed juries and undue influence in general. “People don’t realize that when they see news and sees snippets of stories about cases they’re not getting the whole picture of the matter being tried.”

“On the other hand, a jury sees all the evidence, and it is the state’s responsibility—whether it is the state of Ohio or the state of South Carolina—to use that evidence to prove the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said.

“So sometimes when people are acquitted, it doesn’t necessarily mean a jury thinks they’re innocent. It means that the prosecutors didn’t prove their case,” Atty. Cassese noted.

“And here is a critically important point: the jury is only permitted to consider the evidence that is presented to them. They can’t or watch stories in the media and they can’t Google search for information,” he continued.

“Why?  Because information from outside the proceedings can be illegitimate or inaccurate. That is why judges often give jurors strict orders not to speak to others about the case, not to look up info on their phone, or read about the case on social media.”

Frank also took note of the fact that the Attorney General of South Carolina said the case would be retried as quickly as possible and emphasized that no one was above the law.

“He made those statements because he wanted to assure the public that although Murdaugh was once a prominent and powerful figure in the state he won’t receive special treatment. He wants people to know justice will be served,” Atty. Cassese concluded.

Attorney Aaron Thomas joins BK as Manager of Tampa, FL office and Leaders of firm’s Real Estate Practive Group

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We are pleased to announce that Attorney Aaron Thomas has joined BetrasKopp’s elite legal team as a shareholder, manager of our Tampa, Florida office, and Leader of our Real Estate Practice Group. He is also working closely with our Complex Business Litigation and Sports Law Practice Groups.
Aaron’s exceptional expertise and experience, which includes structuring and executing multi-national transactions, will significantly expand and enhance all aspects of BK’s complex business and sports law operations.
We invite you to take a moment to review Aaron’s professional biography:
Attorney Aaron Thomas, who joined Betras Kopp Attorneys at Law in January 2026 as a shareholder, manages the firm’s Tampa, Florida office and leads the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group. He also oversees the firm’s closing and title insurance operations and works closely with BK’s Complex Litigation and Sports Law Practice Groups.
Based in Tampa, Aaron represents developers, lenders, investors, and business entities in complex real estate, corporate, and sports-related transactions throughout the United States and across the world.
Aaron’s practice focuses on the acquisition, development, financing, and disposition of diverse commercial real estate assets, including hotels, multifamily communities, office buildings, and luxury residential properties. He regularly represents both lenders and borrowers in mortgage and mezzanine loans, construction lending, and other complex financing transactions. He also serves as a trusted advisor to clients engaged in joint ventures, private company acquisitions, and business divestitures.
As leader of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group Aaron manages all aspects of the firm’s closing and title insurance business which includes overseeing residential and commercial closings throughout the State of Florida, working with title underwriters, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory and underwriting requirements.
A considerable portion of Aaron’s practice involves high-volume residential closings, complex commercial transactions, and serving as a strategic advisor on title, survey, and insurability issues. He also works closely with, supports, and provides expert counsel to BetrasKopp attorneys in Florida and Ohio who are engaged in complex real estate and title transactions.
Aaron also brings vast experience and expertise to BK’s Sports Law Practice Group where he plays an integral role in structuring and executing transactions involving professional sports organizations and related entities. During his career he has been involved in the purchase and sale of sale of professional sports franchises in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Most notably, he represented a consortium of U.S. and international investors in the acquisition of a minority interest in Plymouth Argyle Football Club and Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C.
Aaron also maintains robust land use, government relations, and regulatory practice. He represents clients throughout Florida in zoning, permitting, and regulatory matters. He has successfully negotiated more than 100 settlements under the Bert J. Harris, Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act and routinely secures site plan approvals, special exceptions, and variances for residential, multifamily, and commercial developments.
Aaron is a member of and active in the Florida Bar and its Young Lawyers Division as well as the Hillsborough County Bar Association.
Aaron, a three-time Academic All-American, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mars Hill College where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. He then earned his Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law.
Aaron and his wife Jordan have two daughters: Hayden and Remi.

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Professor Dave: LIveNation, Ticketmaster anti-trust verdict is winning ticket for consumers

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In this episode of Legally Speaking on WFMJ Today, Professor David Betras convenes a session of the shade tree law school to teach viewers a few things about anti-trust law and how it led to a landmark case in which a jury found that Ticketmaster and Live Nation were operating as a monopoly in the live concert market. You can watch the segment here.

In order to understand the law that led to the verdict that may make concert tickets affordable for average Americans,  Professor Betras said we must travel back in time to the 1890s.

At that time, which is commonly referred to as the Progressive Era, a few companies led by Robber Barons like Andrew Carnegie and J.D. Rockefeller, had seized control of vital industries, including coal mining, oil production, and the railroads.

Teddy Roosevelt and other progressives reacted by passing the Sherman Anti-Trust Act that forced the breakup of the monopolies. In 1914 Congress strengthened Sherman by passing the Clayton which established the Federal Trade Commission and empowered it to regulate commerce and prevent the formation of monopolies.

Sherman and Clayton are among the most important statutes ever enacted because competition is key to the survival of a capitalist economic system like ours.

Remove competition from the equation and consumers not only suffer, they contemplate revolution.

With that as background, let’s discuss the Live Nation/Ticketmaster case. For years artists and fans had complained that the companies had a stranglehold on the live concert market which led to an explosion in ticket prices.

The jury in the case agreed. But the battle is not over. There now has to be a second trial to determine how the monopoly should be broken up. That means ticket prices won’t be coming down to Earth any time soon.

Some of our older viewers may remembers that the Bell Telephone system was involved in a similar case. Back in the old days when phones hanged on our walls the Princess phone was the height of innovation, if you wanted to buy a phone you had to purchase equipment made by Western Electric which was owned by Beel and hook it up to hard lines owned by the company. For all intents and purposes, AT&T controlled every part of America’s phone system.

In 1974 the federal government filed suit alleging the obvious: AT&T was a monopoly. In 1982 the company and the feds settled the case. AT&T agreed to be broken up into seven “Baby Bells,” AT&t was allowed to maintain it’s long-distance business and retain ownership of Western Electric.

The settlement was finalized in 1984 which illustrates how long these complicated lawsuits can drag on. Today, telephone service looks nothing like it did when AT&T monopolized the market. The settlement spurred innovation and competition that led to the development of cellular service, the iPhone, and other technology that was unimaginable in the mid-70s.

The bottom line is this: Competition is good for the economy and consumers. Here are a couple more examples: In the 1960s and ‘70s the U.S. severely restricted imports of foregone cars. The result? The Big Three automakers rested on their laurels and made, pardon my French, crappy vehicles.

When import restrictions were lifted and domestic producers were forced to compete the quality of vehicles made in the U.S. increased exponentially.

The same goes for home and auto insurance. The insurers don’t spend billions of dollars on advertising because they don’t want your business. They do, desperately. So I shop my coverage every year and normally save $800 to $900.

The same principle applies to plane tickets, hotel rooms, washing machines, and big screen TVs—just about everything we buy is better and cheaper because of competition—and that’s what will happen to concert tickets when the Live Nation case is resolved.

So, here is the key take away from Professor Dave’s lesson: Competition good, monopolies bad.

Class dismissed. Let’s have some Landmark donuts.

MCBOE Chair David Betras commends Ohio Secretary of State Frank Larose for taking affirmative steps to protect and promote democracy, slams Commissioners for their ongoing and utter failure to ensure the integrity of elections in Mahoning County

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Today I issued a formal response to Secretary of State Frank LaRose regarding the condition of the Mahoning County Board of Elections facility and our ongoing efforts to comply with all state-mandated security and operational requirements.
First, I want to thank Secretary LaRose for his personal engagement and concern for Mahoning County. His attention to our situation and his willingness to collaborate with us to ensure safe, secure, and accessible elections is sincerely appreciated.
For several years, I have repeatedly warned the Mahoning County Commissioners that the Board of Elections building was deteriorating and that a serious infrastructure failure was likely. Nearly one year before the September 29 pipe leak, I specifically raised the possibility of exactly this kind of incident. Unfortunately, those warnings proved accurate. We were fortunate the leak occurred during business hours; had it happened overnight, we could have lost millions of dollars in voting equipment.
I have documented the deplorable conditions inside the facility with photographs, and I have made numerous presentations before the commissioners outlining the risks. During one of those presentations, I provided them with the very directives and requirements referenced by the Secretary of State, including Chapter 3 of the Election Official Manual and Directive 2025-29. Suggestions that these directives were unknown to the commissioners are simply not true.
Regarding compliance, the Board recently completed a cybersecurity audit and is finalizing all required documentation. I would like to publicly commend Chris Rakocy for his exceptional work in helping us meet these obligations.
Our most serious challenges, however, remain tied to the condition of the building itself. Progress on necessary upgrades only began after I publicly stated at a commissioners meeting that we were out of compliance. The fire suppression system was brought into compliance only recently and only after significant delay at the county level. We are still awaiting completion of the required alarm system upgrade but have been told it will be finished shortly.
The water line that caused September’s leak has been reactivated, and our voting machines remain positioned beneath those pipes. The current facility does not allow for any safe alternative storage. While state best practices call for election offices and voting equipment to be housed together in a secure and suitable location, the Board has not been provided with another site. Despite repeated assurances that a new home is forthcoming, no concrete plan or timeline has been presented to us.
It is important for the public to understand that this is not a theoretical concern. Earlier this summer, we were forced to close the office due to an air-conditioning system failure and persistent odors within the building. We have prepared contingency plans for catastrophic facility failures because, in our current building, such failures remain a very real possibility.
Mahoning County’s voters deserve the same level of electoral security and stability enjoyed in every other county in Ohio. The Board of Elections is doing everything within its authority to meet the state’s requirements, but without a new facility, the risk to our election infrastructure cannot be fully mitigated.
We appreciate the Secretary of State’s partnership in addressing these challenges, and we remain ready to work with all county officials to ensure that Mahoning County’s elections continue to meet the highest standards of security and reliability.
Read SOS LaRose’s letter to the MCBOE here: Letter from Secretary of State Frank LaRose

BetrasKopp files lawsuit seeking injunction that will enable student athletes trapped in scandal-plagued Ursuline High School football program to transfer to other schools

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After Ursuline High School cancelled the 2025 football season in the midst of allegations that some players had engaged in hazing, sexual misconduct, physical abuse, and harassment during an out of state team trip, a number of student athletes who were not involved in the incidents explored the possibility of transferring to and playing for other schools this year. On September 16, 2025, the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), the body that governs interscholastic athletics in the state, ruled they could not.

In a lawsuit filed on behalf of six of the players on September 22, 2025, Attorneys Brian Kopp and Frank Cassese of BetrasKopp LLC asked the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to issue a Temporary Restraining Order as well as temporary and permanent injunctions that will prevent the OHSAA, its Executive Director DougUte, and/or his agents from enforcing that ruling.

“These student athletes have done nothing wrong,” Attorney Kopp said. “Through no fault of their own they’ve been robbed of the opportunity to play for Ursuline, and, in the case of seniors, to ever play high school football again. If a parent believes it is best to transfer their child out of Ursuline High School so they can continue their athletic careers they should have the right to do so. This lawsuit was filed to guarantee that right will not be restricted by the OHSAA’s arbitrary and unjust decisions.”

“The OHSAA is sending a troubling message to high school student-athletes and parents across Ohio: ‘Blow the whistle and get benched,’” Attorney Cassese commented. “Student athletes who observe the type of behavior that allegedly occurred at Ursuline are going to think twice about reporting it if the OHSAA insists on punishing the innocent right along with the guilty. Mr. Ute and his staff should have done their due diligence and allowed those who were not involved in the incident to transfer to another school and move on with their lives. Instead, the clear directive moving forward is remain silent or risk losing everything.”

In the lawsuit the plaintiffs assert that the rules and by-laws the OHSAA cited in denying students the right to transfer are neither pertinent nor applicable to Ursuline’s situation.  because they are intended to “prevent student athletes from ‘shopping around’ for a school to attend based solely on which school will best showcase the student’s athletic talents, which, in turn, would promote an atmosphere of athletic recruiting at the high school level.”

“Our clients aren’t ‘shopping around’ for a better school because they want to, they’re seeking permission to transfer because the Diocese of Youngstown and Ursuline’s administration failed to deal with allegations of misconduct in early June,” Attorney Kopp said. “Now, as a result of the OHSAA’s ruling, these students are trapped in an institution plagued by civil and criminal action and a football program shrouded in uncertainty. Fortunately, the Court has the power to set them free by issuing the TRO and injunctions we are seeking.”

In the suit the plaintiffs note they will suffer irreparable harm if injunctive relief is not granted:

Plaintiffs do not have monetary damages. They are being prevented from participating in interscholastic athletics because of the actions of other individuals. The fleeting nature of high school sports means that Plaintiffs can never recoup the missed contests that are played while this unjustified penalty from the OHSAA remains enforced. Plaintiffs have and will continue to suffer irreparable harm through the OHSAA’s decisions, for which there is no adequate remedy at law. A temporary restraining order and preliminary and permanent injunction enjoying Defendants from enforcing the OHSAA’s decision is the only available remedy.

For more information please contact Frank Cassese at 330-746-8484.  The Verified Complaint may be viewed and downloaded here.  The Motion for TRO  may be viewed and downloaded here.

 

Attorney David Betras

Attorney David Betras receives Martindale-Hubbell 40-year Practice Recognition Award in honor of his four decades serving clients in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida

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In 2025 Attorney Betras received the Martindale-Hubbell 40-year Practice Recognition Award which honors his four decades of service to clients in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

 

What you need to know about Ohio’s new consumer fireworks law–aside from the fact that it actually makes sense…

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If there is one thing I’ve learned during my three decades as an attorney, it’s that laws don’t always make sense. As an example, I offer into evidence, the Ohio statute that governed the purchase and use of consumer-grade fireworks by private citizens from 2008 until 2022. During that time, you or I could walk into a licensed fireworks dealer on July 4, buy a carload of what are known as 1.4G fireworks, and then swear we were going to transport our arsenal out of state within 48 hours because it was illegal to discharge them within the state.

Attorney David Betras
BKM Managing Partner David Betras

This law was ridiculous for two reasons: first, it forced Ohioans who wanted to celebrate Independence Day by firing off some fireworks in their backyard to lie and commit a crime which was more than a little ironic and absolutely un-American, and, second, it was, for all intents and purposes, unenforceable, a fact underscored by the billions of dollars in consumer pyrotechnics that lit up Ohio’s night skies and scared Ohio’s dogs each and every Fourth—prohibition or no prohibition.

After numerous attempts to erase the law and government-mandated ruse from the books, the fine folks who inhabit the Ohio House and Senate passed HB 172 by overwhelming margins on November 4, 2021. One provision of the bill which became effective on July 1, 2022 eliminated the requirement that Ohioans hightail it out of the state to demonstrate their patriotism. As a result, we are now free to shoot off roman candles, skyrockets, sparking wheels, seven-shot Beastlys, and 10-ten shot Cherry Bombers from the comfort of our homes.

In addition to permitting the use of consumer fireworks within Ohio’s borders, HB 172 also established regulations for doing so—you know rules we didn’t need when we were buying 36-shot China Dragons here and shooting them off in, I guess Pennsylvania or West Virginia. Because the law is relatively new, and the Fourth of July is rapidly approaching I thought it would be beneficial to review the rules:

Let’s start with when we can fire away:

From 4 PM to 11 PM on:

  • From 4 PM to 11 PM on July 3, 4, and 5, and the Friday, Saturday and Sunday immediately before and after the 4th.
  • From 4 PM to 11 PM on Memorial and Labor Day weekends
  • From 4 PM to 11:59 PM on New Year’s Eve and 12 AM to 1:00 AM and 4 PM to 11 PM New Year’s Day
  • From 4 PM to 11 PM on Chinese New Year
  • From 4 PM to 11 PM on Cinco de Mayo
  • From 4 PM to 11 PM on Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights which falls on November 12 this year.
  • From 4 PM to 11 PM on Juneteenth.

Next let’s talk about where.  You can light up the night from your own property or another person’s if the owner has given you express permission. Oh, and you can’t fire them off indoors, so no shooting Roman Candles at your siblings or friends if you’re in the kitchen or living room. You also may not discharge fireworks within 150 feet of property housing livestock unless the owner of the property is given five days’ notice. I guess that will give the livestock owner time to sedate the animals. 

Who is important. No one under the age of 18 and no person under the influence of any intoxicating liquor, beer, or controlled substance may discharge fireworks.

Finally, let’s not forget that fireworks can be dangerous if they are mishandled or used carelessly. According to a report issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission 11,500 fireworks-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospitals in 2021. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of the injuries occurred between June 18 and July 18. To make sure your holiday isn’t marred by an accident, please follow these safety tips as you celebrate America’s 257th birthday:

  • Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
  • Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.
  • Never hold lit fireworks in your hands.
  • Only use fireworks away from people, houses, and flammable material.
  • Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
  • Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
  • Keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby to fully douse fireworks that don’t discharge or in case of fire.

Thanks for taking the time to check out this week’s blog and Happy Fourth to you all.

Betras Kopp offers life-saving tips that will help keep kids safe around pools and spas

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For most kids, summer is the best season of the year—especially if they have access to a swimming pool. But along with swimming, diving, splashing, and fun comes danger: drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among children aged one to four and claimed nearly 400 young lives last year and sent another 6,500 kids to the emergency room.
Because the Betras Kopp team is dedicated to helping keep you, your kids and other family members safe, we’re providing these tips from Poolsafely.gov  that will go a long way toward ensuring your child doesn’t become a tragic statistic:

1. Never leave a child unattended in or near water.

Always watch children when they’re in or near water, and never leave them unattended. Designate an official Water Watcher, an adult tasked with supervising children in the water. That should be their only task – they shouldn’t be reading, texting or playing games on their phone. Have a phone close by at all times in case you need to call for help, and if a child is missing, check the pool first.
Even if a lifeguard is present, parents and caregivers should still take the responsibility of being a designated Water Watcher. When any lifeguard chair is empty, the remaining lifeguards may not be able to see the entire pool and when lifeguards are seated in low chairs, their view can be blocked by patrons in the pool.

2. Teach children how to swim.

Swimming is not only fun, it’s a lifesaving skill. Enroll children in swimming lessons; there are many free or reduced-cost options available from your local YMCA, USA Swimming chapter or Parks and Recreation Department.

3. Teach children to stay away from drains.

Do not play or swim near drains or suction outlets, especially in spas and shallow pools, and never enter a pool or spa that has a loose, broken or missing drain cover. Children’s hair, limbs, jewelry or bathing suits can get stuck in a drain or suction opening. When using a spa, be sure to locate the emergency vacuum shutoff before getting in the water.

4. Ensure all pools and spas – both in your backyard and any public pool you may visit – have compliant drain covers.

Virginia Graeme Baker, after whom the Pool and Spa Safety Act is named, died from drowning due to a suction entrapment from a faulty drain cover. All public pools and spas must have drain grates or covers that meet safety standards to avoid incidents like the one that took Graeme’s life. Powerful suction from a pool or spa drain can even trap an adult.

5. Install proper barriers, covers and alarms on and around your pool and spa.

Proper fences, barriers, alarms and covers can be lifesaving devices. A fence of at least four feet in height should surround the pool or spa on all sides and should not be climbable for children. The water should only be accessible through a self-closing, self-latching gate. Teach children to never try to climb over the gate or fence. Install a door alarm from the house to the pool area, and keep pool and spa covers in working order.

6. Know how to perform CPR on children and adults.

Often, bystanders are the first to aid a drowning victim, so learning CPR can help save a life. And once you’re CPR certified, make sure to keep your certification current. CPR classes are available through many hospitals, community centers, or by contacting the American Red Cross.

7. Take the Pledge!

Before heading to the pool or spa with your family, remember to take the Pool Safely Pledge. This online call to action is a reminder to stay safer around the water.

Thanks for taking a few minutes to learn more about pool safety and please share it with your family members and friends. We also invite you to check our website and social media platforms for additional information that will keep you and your family safe this summer.