Oronoz Injury Blog

FMCSA Likely to Roll out Sleep Apnea Strategies by Year-End

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:23:00 GMT

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is likely to soon develop guidelines for the treatment of sleep apnea among truck drivers. According to John Hill, former chief of the FMCSA, the guidelines are likely to include the latest and best treatment for sleep apnea recognized by medical practitioners. Hill also believes that by the end of the year, the agency will issue a final rule, requiring doctors to be aware of DOT rules before issuing a medical certificate to a truck driver. These new guidelines will mean that DOT medical examiners will have to identify sleep apnea in drivers and recommend treatment programs for them.

Hill has just joined SleepSafe Driver Inc., a company that provides sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment programs for commercial motor vehicle drivers. He has been brought in as a senior advisor, and he is expected to bring substantial experience and expertise to his new role, simply because in his former job, he saw firsthand the effect of letting sleep apnea in truck drivers go undiagnosed and untreated. Commercial truck drivers, by the very nature of their work, are at a high risk for chronic driver fatigue, and all the accident risks from it. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has known about these risks for years, but much to the dismay of Las Vegas truck accident lawyers, the agency has dragged its feet on mandating testing of drivers for sleep apnea, and recommending treatment for drivers before they are allowed back into the cab.

Dealing with a chronic disease that affects so many commercial truck drivers has proved to be a major challenge for the federal agency. It's not just the diagnosis of sleep apnea that has proved to be a logistical challenge, but also the task of getting truck drivers to complete treatment programs once they have been diagnosed.

Clark County Children Get a Look at Consequences of Unsafe Driving

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:29:00 GMT

When it comes to safe motoring, you can never catch them too young. In fact, catching motorists when they are in school can help develop a generation of safe and informed motorists who avoid dangerous driving practices.

This week, a group of high school students in Clark County got a chance to see for themselves the consequences of driving recklessly, intoxicated, or at high speeds. The campaign was sponsored by Sunrise Hospital in association with Clark County Safe Kids. The children were put through different simulated situations, including intoxicated driving and being unbuckled and in a crash. For instance, they were allowed to use vision goggles to see exactly how driving intoxicated affected their ability to drive. They also saw what happens when you don't wear your seatbelts and are involved in an accident.

Besides, the teenagers got to talk with hospital staff, including trauma care nurses, about the kind of injuries that result when someone is an accident involving intoxicated driving or speeding. They also had the opportunity to talk to people from the Coroner’s office about what they see after a deadly car accident.

High school DUI awareness programs can only play a limited role in making teenagers aware of the dangers of intoxicated driving and other forms of reckless driving. The way to drill these messages home is to give these teenagers a chance to see for themselves what can happen when they drive recklessly or drive drunk. That's where events like this can be used to increase awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, speeding and intoxicated driving. Teen motorists are a high risk of all these forms of reckless driving, which is why Las Vegas car accident lawyers believe it's important that efforts to promote safe driving be targeted at this age group.

Do We Need a Crisis to Make our Highways Safer?

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:15:00 GMT

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety asks a pertinent question that Las Vegas car accident lawyers will find very intriguing - why does it take a crisis like the Toyota acceleration scandal, or the even the debate on distracted driving, to alert transportation agencies to issues concerning highway safety? With the second Distracted Driving Summit scheduled for September this year, it’s a question that begs some answering.

The Institute says that focusing on just a few highway safety issues will not help us reduce highway crash death numbers, and will not really keep Americans safer. Take distracted driving, for instance. The term “distracted driving” includes a number of practices that range all the way from use of cell phones and texting while driving to snacking and applying makeup behind the wheel. However, the biggest focus on preventing accidents has been on banning the use of handheld cell phones and texting at the wheel.

Such bans only take care of a small percentage of distractions at the wheel. Motorists who keep a cell phone switched off while driving in order to prevent distractions, would think nothing of grabbing a snack, changing radio stations, or even on some new models of cars, checking the dashboard computer, while driving. There is no end to the foolish behavior that some motorists indulge in while driving - from having sex to applying makeup. There is not ever going to be a single law that bans all these distractions. And yet, our federal transportation agencies continue to harp on and on about the use of cell phones and texting devices.

Couldn't all this time invested in distracted driving summits be better spent by pursuing more aggressive technologies and auto safety features? These new technologies like lane departure warning systems, forward collision systems and a range of other safety features can help prevent accidents, no matter what the distractions. Our highways safety policies seem to be more reactive than proactive, which is a shame.

One in Three Drivers Admits Pets Are a Distraction While Driving

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:33:00 GMT

Four out of every five dog owners admit that they take their pets with them when they drive, and out of these, one in three admits that these dogs are a distraction. One out of every five dog owners allows the dog to ride on their lap while they are driving. That information comes from a survey conducted by the America Automobile Association.

Any Las Vegas car accident lawyer will be concerned that these distractions are not taken seriously. The fact that so many people drive with their pets is not a surprise. However, many of these people don't seem to understand that these animals could seriously increase their risks of being involved in an accident.

The AAA is discouraging such behavior, and warning motorists that taking your eyes off the road even for a couple of seconds can dramatically increase your chances of being involved in an accident. Not to mention what will happen to Fido on your lap if you're involved even in a minor accident, and your airbag deploys.

There are ways to drive safely when there are children in the car, and so it is for dogs too. There are seatbelt systems for dogs, dog carriers, dog barriers, backseat hammocks, backless restraints, and dog booster seats to secure your dog when he is traveling with you. Dog barriers can be used to confine your dog to the rear of the car, while dog seatbelts do what seatbelts are supposed to do - restrain large-size dogs in their seats. These are not so effective for small sized dogs. For smaller dogs, a dog carrier is best. Make sure that you have a carrier that isn't too big or too small for the dog.

Fortunately, there is an entire industry catering to dog safety, and these devices can be affordable. Dog owners would do well to invest in such safety aids for their dogs.

Despite Lower Accident Fatalities, Senior Motorist Safety Still a Major Concern

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:25:00 GMT

Earlier this year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released a study showing that accident fatalities involving senior motorists above the age of 70, had declined by 37% between 1997 and 2008. Those findings were greatly welcomed by Las Vegas personal injury lawyers. However, the fact is that senior motorist safety will continue to be a major issue especially over the next few years, as baby boomers continue to age and continue to drive.

This year's findings by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety were a welcome change from several studies in the past that have shown elderly motorists as being at a high risk of being involved in fatal accidents. However, safety experts are warning against complacency. It's quite likely that these lower rates of accident fatalities are because of enhanced auto safety features. It's also highly likely that elderly motorists simply drove fewer miles during the study period, or it could be that - and this is the one that Las Vegas auto accident attorneys will find the most encouraging - seniors themselves are policing their own driving abilities much better than before.

It's important for families to see the warning signs of deteriorating driving abilities in their loved ones. It's even more important to make it easy for the person to transition from being independent and driving his own car, to other options.

When it comes to telling a senior motorist that he cannot drive anymore, enlist the help of the member of the family who has the most influence over him. Things are less likely to get hostile or antagonistic.

Families must explore other transportation options for their loved ones before they make the decision to take away the keys. It doesn't help an elderly motorist to take away his driving privileges, and tell him that he is now on his own. You cannot tell a senior motorist who has never taken public transportation, to suddenly begin taking the bus. Be realistic, and empathetic to their needs.

If other family members are going to take the responsibility of driving the senior citizen around, it's important to either put them strictly in charge of this, or have all family members share these duties equally.

Bill Would Allow Nevada to Increase Truck Trailer Weight Limits

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:52:00 GMT

If a bill that has just been introduced in the US Senate passes, trucking companies in Nevada would be able to add up to 17,000 pounds more cargo in their trailers, thereby making these trucks heavier, and an even greater threat to motorist safety. Any Las Vegas truck accident lawyer should be concerned about the kind of effect larger heavier trucks will have in a city that is already known for its large number of intoxicated, impaired and reckless motorists.

The bill, S.3705 is also called the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act. It has been introduced by Senators Mike Crapo, Republican-Idaho, Herb Kohl, Democrat-Wisconsin, and Susan Collins, Republican-Maine. The bill is similar to another bill that has also been introduced in the House of Representatives. The bill would allow states to increase the weight limit for trucks to 97,000 pounds. If the bill is passed, trucking companies would be able to stuff their trailers with additional cargo, although the bill would require a sixth axle to be added to the truck, so that the additional weight doesn't affect the stopping distance of the truck.

The bill’s supporters claim that it will increase trucking efficiency, decrease the number of trucking trips, decongest our highways, and contribute to a cleaner, greener environment. However, it is the accident risks of more number of bulkier 18 wheelers on our highways that should be our biggest concern.

The safety risks with heavier tractor-trailers will be especially acute in Nevada, which has a highly unsafe motoring culture. Las Vegas in particular, has a major problem with drunk driving. Heavier trucks are a major safety risk in a city like this, and on highways like ours that are used by reckless, impaired motorists. Heavy trucks may be more efficient, but they are a safety risk that Las Vegas motorists simply cannot afford.

Concerns for Bicycle Safety after Las Vegas Drunk Driving Accident

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 21:24:00 GMT

A fatal alcohol-related car accident earlier this month that killed a 27-year-old bicyclist, is raising concerns about bicycle safety in Las Vegas. The victim was killed as he was riding his bicycle near Del Webb and Rampart. He was in a designated bike lane, when his bicycle was hit from behind by a drunk driver. The drunken motorist, Felicio Gonzalez, tried to flee the scene of the accident but was nabbed by police officers scene. He has been charged with DUI, and hit and run causing death.

This death has rattled Las Vegas’ bicycle community, a group that has never been under any illusions about the safety of its members. There is nothing that the victim could have done to avoid the bicycle accident. The victim was riding in a designated bike path, as all bicyclists in Las Vegas are required to do. What could have prevented this accident would have been if Gonzalez had not started his car in an intoxicated condition in the first place.

This accident is becoming a kind of rallying point for bicyclists in the state. Las Vegas has never been in the running for the title of the Most Bicycle-Friendly City in America. The bicycle here is regarded more as an aberration, and not a vehicle whose operator needs to be treated with respect.

It's also the DUI link in this accident that Las Vegas drunk driving accident lawyers need to stress. Bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists - everybody is in danger of serious injury or death when we have laws that allow drunk drivers to be out in the streets even after prior DUI convictions. Nevada's laws lean towards intoxicated motorists, and the results can be seen in the attitude of drunk motorists who are responsible for injuring and killing hundreds of people on the roads every year.

ESC Systems Could Prevent Thousands of Truck Rollover Accidents Every Year

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:34:00 GMT

Annually, approximately 3,500 truck rollover accidents could be prevented and 106 lives could be saved if electronic stability control systems were made mandatory on all 18 wheelers. An additional 4,400 injuries every year could be prevented if these systems were mandated in all tractor-trailers. Those statistics come from a study conducted by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration researchers, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Michigan. The researchers were studying the results of these systems in preventing truck rollover accidents.

Electronic stability control systems are mandatory in all new passenger vehicle models. The NHTSA has established that these systems can help dramatically reduce the number of rollover accidents every year by helping motorists to maintain control over vehicles. However, these systems have not been made mandatory on 18-wheelers, in spite of the fact that these massive vehicles are at a high risk of rollover. A tractor-trailer is highly susceptible to a rollover when it is making a turn, or when it jackknifes. These accidents become even more hazardous when the tractor-trailer in question is carrying thousands of gallons of liquid.

Tank trucks may be even more susceptible to rollovers because of the liquid cargo that can cause a shift in the load, and eventually, a rollover. A rollover involving a tank truck could lead to hazardous material being spilled on highways, creating not just a safety hazard, but also an environmental one. Last year, in Indiana, a tanker truck involved in a single vehicle accident exploded on a busy highway, and the resulting fireball could be seen for miles away.

Las Vegas truck accident lawyers firmly believe that these types of accidents could be avoided if trucking companies equipped all their vehicles with electronic stability control systems. However, for that to happen, the agency needs to mandate the installation of these systems in all tractor-trailers. The NHTSA has said that it will conduct a study into the benefits of using these systems, and will then make a decision about this matter.

As Drunk Driving Menace Eases, Drugged Driving on Increase

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:15:00 GMT

Highway fatalities associated with drunk driving have dropped significantly over the past few years. However, law enforcement agencies in Las Vegas and around the country are grappling with a new threat - motorists driving under the influence of prescription drugs.

Unlike with alcohol, where there is general agreement regarding the maximum legal amount of alcohol that can be present in the system - there are no such criteria for the presence of prescription drugs in the system. There are also no easy ways to prosecute or charge motorists who are driving under the influence of medications. Sometimes the medications may remain in the person’s system for weeks after the person has taken the drug. Other times, impaired driving is the result of a combination of drugs in the person’s system. It's no secret that Americans are addicted to prescription drugs, and many are on more than one medication. That has led to more and more numbers of drugged drivers on our streets, causing accidents.

Most people know that cold and cough medications can induce drowsiness, and must not be taken before driving. There are also drowsiness and fatigue-related symptoms associated with the use of certain painkillers. However, there are drugs that can impact your driving abilities beyond merely causing drowsiness. For instance, anti-anxiety drugs can leave a person feeling less than alert, and can slow down his reaction times considerably. Stimulants can make a person aggressive, lower his inhibitions and encourage risk-taking, and may also impact a person's ability to judge distances. These can then have a potentially serious impact on a person's driving. Besides, prescription drug abuse is far too rampant in American society. Many people think nothing of combining these medications with alcohol, with potentially disastrous consequences if they then begin to drive.

The problem with driving under the influence of prescription drugs is so acute some law enforcement officers are referring to prescription drugs as the new cocaine. Las Vegas DUI accident lawyers see far too many challenges in keeping such drivers off the roads. Many people are not aware of the side effects of the drugs they're taking, or that some of the drugs they take may interact with other medications. Our overstretched public healthcare system does not always allow doctors to info

rm patients of each and every side effect of the medications.

Las Vegas Man Charged in Fatal Drunk Driving Accident

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:18:00 GMT

It takes extreme intoxication to drive your SUV with an injured bicyclist trapped underneath. As it turned out after the accident, the SUV driver Charlie Matanza had been driving with a combination of methamphetamine, marijuana and alprazolam in his system. Matanza has now been charged with driving under the influence of drugs, causing death and bodily harm.

The accident occurred in 2009. Matanza was driving with his passenger on Desert Inn Road, when he lost control of the vehicle and the SUV jumped onto the sidewalk. The victim, Gary Lommason, was riding his bicycle on the sidewalk. The SUV struck the bicycle, throwing Lommason to the ground. Matanza continued driving with the bicyclist stuck under his car. Lommason died from his injuries. Matanza was arrested after he failed a field sobriety test. He is expected to be sentenced on September 27th.

Nevada has strict laws against drunk driving, although Las Vegas drunk driving injury attorneys believe that these could be stronger. Every year, hundreds of families in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada are left shattered because of alcohol-related accidents. Las Vegas is uniquely positioned to have a higher incidence of such accidents. This is where the world comes to party. Unfortunately for many of these partiers, the line between having fun and putting other people in danger, often gets blurred. Intoxicated partiers staggering out of bars and clubs and getting into their car to drive to their homes or hotels, contribute to numerous drunk driving accidents in Las Vegas every year.

For victims of these accidents, it's important to understand that they have rights in a civil court of law. While a drunk driver may be charged with several offenses after an accident, the fact is that this will not do anything to ease the suffering of the family that is left behind after a fatal accident. Nevada law allows families of drunk driving accident victims to claim compensation for their losses, including for pain and suffering.

Supportive, Firm Family Environment Can Prevent Teen Drunk Driving Accidents

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:47:00 GMT

A new study published in the July issue of Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs confirms that parents have a major role to play in preventing drunk driving accidents involving their teenagers. The researchers surveyed approximately 5,000 children aged between 12 and 19. The children were asked about their drinking habits, as well as their relationship with their parents. The questions about parental relationship focused on two aspects:

Did the children feel love and affection from their parents?

Did the children feel that their parents were keeping track of where they were, and what they were doing?

Not surprisingly to Las Vegas drunk driving accident lawyers, the teenagers who reported that they had a warm relationship with their parents, and that their parents were monitoring where they were and what they did outside the home, were more likely to have responsible drinking habits. These teenagers were less likely to indulge in binge drinking, drunk driving and other alcohol excesses. Binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more alcoholic drinks in a single day. It's a serious problem among teen motorists, especially in colleges, where there may be a culture of excessive drinking.

It's not merely enough to have a warm and loving relationship with your parents. It's also important to have parents who are concerned enough about you to keep track of what you're doing. Teenagers who reported receiving love and affection from their parents, but felt that their parents allowed them to do what they liked, were three times more likely to report binge drinking. Teenagers who felt that their parents were strict and not affectionate, were twice as likely to indulge in binge drinking, compared to those teenagers who rated favorably on both aspects.

The conclusion from the study seemed to be that parents in Las Vegas can do much to prevent their child from drinking excessively, and possibly being involved in alcohol-related car related accidents. They may not able to prevent their child from drinking at all, but they can do a lot to prevent more dangerous alcohol excesses, like binge drinking and drunk driving. A combination of a supportive and affectionate family environment and keeping track of where they are and what they're doing when they're outside the home may do the trick.

Nevada Legislature Likely to Take up Proposed Legislation for Stronger DUI Laws

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:20:00 GMT

Nevada’s DUI laws have been lenient towards intoxicated drivers compared to laws in the rest of the country. Not only are our laws targeting drunk drivers behind those in some other states, but even existing laws are poorly enforced. This has led to a culture of rampant intoxicated driving in the state, especially in the city of Las Vegas. Our city also suffers from a “party capital tag,” which means the number of motorists who leave pubs, clubs and bars too intoxicated to drive in Las Vegas, is probably higher here than in many other US cities.

This state of affairs has long been a concern for Las Vegas drunk driving accident lawyers. However, the situation could soon hopefully change. The 2011 legislative assembly will see a number of efforts by lawmakers to strengthen existing DUI laws and enforcement. Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie Democrat-Reno, is calling for more oversight of agencies involved in handling intoxicated drivers. The Nevada Attorney General's Advisory Coalition on Impaired Driving has also created a list of laws that need review. Assemblyman William Horne, Democrat-Clark County is also calling for a review of Nevada DUI laws. Lobbyists like Mothers against Drunk Driving want laws in Nevada that require ignition interlock devices installed in vehicles of DUI offenders.

A series of investigations in the Reno Gazette Journal published recently showed that many judges were ignoring the law by not requiring these devices for all offenders involved in serious or fatal drunk driving accidents. These practices have changed since the newspaper published the exposé. Across the country, several states had seen dramatic drops in drunk driving accident rates, merely by requiring that ignition interlock devices be placed in vehicles of all repeat DUI offenders. For instance, New Mexico has seen a 65% drop in drunk driving accidents after a law like this was passed.

Nevada's DUI record has long been an embarrassment to Las Vegas drunk driving accident attorneys. Hopefully, the 2011 legislative assembly will take proactive steps to review these statutes, and protect Las Vegas motorists from drunk drivers.

A Review of Programs Aimed at Minimizing Alcohol-Related Excesses

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:20:00 GMT

The New York Times has an interesting discussion that should be of interest to Las Vegas drunk driving accident lawyers. As our city continues to reel under a rash of drunk driving accidents, it's important for Las Vegas personal injury lawyers and the larger community to look at how we could be reducing the incidence of binge drinking, underage drinking, repeat drunk driving and other dangerous alcohol-related excesses.

The New York Times has compared a number of measures aimed at reducing dangerous alcohol excesses. Whether it's a drunk driving accident that kills someone or a sexual assault under the influence of alcohol, there's no doubt that irresponsible drinking is responsible for many of society's ills. Unfortunately, the New York Times has a not-too-positive view of the impact of many popular programs aimed at prevention of alcohol-related excesses.

Las Vegas drunk driving accident lawyers who are concerned about underage drinking and teen drunk driving accidents, will be especially concerned at the finding that sobriety education in classrooms has very little impact on whether teens will then go out, drink and drive. A study found that out of every 52 high-quality sobriety education programs, only six were effective. These programs also seemed to have a limited impact over a period of years.

There is some indication that sobriety education for teenagers may be more effective when it is done at home. Parents have a much larger role to play in teaching their children about the dangers of drinking and driving, and other alcohol-related excesses. The review also has very little good news to report on the efficacy of social marketing campaigns, which use targeted messages to drive home the “responsible drinking” message home. Social marketing campaigns and PSAs seem to have a much lower impact on drunk driving than they do on smoking.

Health provider interventions have been found to be at least moderately successful in getting a person with irresponsible drinking habits, to change. However, too many binge drinkers in Las Vegas continue to remain undiagnosed and slip through the cracks. These persons continue to drive, posing a serious accident risk to other motorists.

Going Barefoot May Increase Slip and Fall Accident Risks among Elderly

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:04:00 GMT

The results of a new study will hold no surprises for Las Vegas personal injury lawyers. The study was conducted by researchers at the Harvard-affiliated Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston. The researchers found that 52% of elderly persons who suffered a fall accident in the home, were either wearing slippers, going barefoot, or wearing socks with no shoes.

The researchers found that 18% of the participants were barefoot when they fell, while 27% were wearing slippers, and 7% were wearing socks with no shoes at the time of the fall. These persons were also more likely to suffer from serious injuries like fractures, broken bones, and torn ligaments, tendons and muscles as a result of the fall.

The researchers are concluding that wearing proper fitting shoes reduces an elderly person's risk of suffering a slip and fall accident. You don't have to be a Las Vegas slip and fall accident attorney to know that falls can be a major health hazard in the elderly. Older persons are at a higher risk of osteoporosis, a condition in which there is decreased bone mineral density. As a result, the bones become brittle and weak. Such bones are more likely to snap and break when the person suffers a fall. Besides, elderly persons with fractured bones may find that these bones take a longer time to heal.

Serious fractures, like hip fractures in the elderly, can lead to loss of movement and other debilitating conditions that can severely impact the senior citizen’s quality of life. In fact, senior citizens have a fatality rate of between 12% and 36% after they suffer a hip fracture. Treatment for hip fractures can include surgeries, and senior citizens may have a number of health complications that make surgery a risky option.

That's why it's so important to prevent slip and fall accidents among the elderly in the first place. Nursing homes, geriatric health facilities and care facilities must consider these new studies that show that people who wear shoes are at a reduced risk of falls.

Furniture-Related Accidents on the Rise

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:11:00 GMT

Furniture-related accidents involving children are a growing problem. Even the Consumer Product Safety Commission acknowledges this fact, but the agency has done little to set strict standards for the manufacturers of these products. As a result, every year there are far too many accidents involving nightstands, TV stands, armoires, dressers and other pieces of furniture that tip over when weight is applied to one side.

According to Consumer Reports, an average of 22 people, mostly little children, are killed every year in such furniture-related accidents. More than 3,000 people are hurt in such accidents every year. Furniture tip overs can not only cause serious injuries, they can also be fatal. Besides broken bones, fractures and bruises, a child could suffocate.

When it comes to furniture stability, manufacturers are only required to voluntarily comply with ATSM safety standards. The ATSM standards for dressers, for instance, only require that an empty unit not tip over whenever the doors are opened, or when all doors are opened up to two thirds of the way, or when one drawer is opened two thirds of the way and a 50 pound load is placed in the center of each drawer. The ATSM is presently working on revising these standards. The UL standards for audio/video equipment stands requires that the unit not tip over while holding something that weighs as much as a television set and is placed on an inclined plane that is 10° from horizontal.

Las Vegas personal injury lawyers know these standards are completely inadequate as far as the safety of children is concerned. However, even these standards are not mandatory. Many manufacturers don't even try to meet the standards.

As parents, you can minimize the chances of your children suffering serious or fatal furniture-related injuries in the home by securing or strapping furniture that could possibly tip over. Furniture straps are available at several retailers, and when properly secured and strapped, these can provide adequate protection even for a four-year-old. The Consumer Reports website recommends certain furniture straps and fastening Systems that are ideal for securing your furniture.