Prepare for the Season: Keep Your Property Safe
It's fall - perhaps the last gasp of outdoor fun for several months - and the kids are still playing football outside, skateboarding up and down the sidewalks and riding bikes all over the neighborhood.
Is your house the place all the neighborhood kids want to hang out, even when you're not home? Perhaps the kids are on your lawn or in your backyard because you have the best Tree House. But whatever the reason, remember that kids can get hurt. They're not accountable for knowing if it's safe to play on your premises. And if something happens, you could be liable.
The best way to handle potential premises liability is to prepare your property to minimize the possibility of accidents - to make sure your house is a safe house.
Is your backyard fenced in? It's been said that good fences make good neighbors and this is certainly a case in point. Make it difficult for children to get in.
Is your outside lighting on in the evenings? Lights can prevent people from tripping or otherwise getting hurt on your land.
Then there are temporary problems. Rakes left on the ground, partially hidden in a pile of leaves -- the kind that invite children to dive in - can lead to broken noses and other injuries.
There's a lot to think about when it comes to protecting your home and yourself, and each season brings its own dangers. Get through autumn and there's winter - when shoveling daily and salt on your driveways and walkways can help keep the people who visit your home safe.
Make things safe. It's a gift both to your neighbors and yourself.
Michael Kosner, President
The Kosner Firm Chtd.
