Even if you're not a very clean or attentive person, it's important to keep your home property properly maintained so that no one will ever sue you over a slip and fall accident. Some, but not all, of this maintenance work involves simply keeping your house clean and free of clutter. When you're ready to take possible liability issues seriously, check out these three tips for accident-proofing your home.
Find Out Whether Or Not The Sidewalk Is Included In Your Property
If the sidewalk by your home is part of your property, you'll need to make sure that all the concrete blocks on it are aligned with each other and free of potholes. Otherwise, if a passerby slips and falls on one of the blocks, you could be liable for damages.
When you get a contractor to provide maintenance for your sidewalk, keep a paper receipt in case the contractor later goes out of business. This way, if someone does fall on your sidewalk, you'll be able to provide undeniable proof that you ordered reasonable maintenance work done.
Make Sure Your Home's Rainwater Drainage System Is In Tiptop Shape
Rainwater puddles are another potential hazard that a guest or a pedestrian could slip on. To ensure that rainwater won't be a problem in your case, inspect your home's gutter system every once in awhile for cracks and tears. If you find any problems, get someone to come and fix the gutters immediately.
If rainwater puddles are still appearing in the spaces on and around your sidewalk and driveway, even after you check out your gutter system, consider installing additional sewer drains to clear the water away. This is especially important if your property is on unusually flat ground without a lot of natural drain lines.
Always Keep A Dedicated Shoe Closet With Plentiful Shelves
Even if the exterior of your property is in good shape, an incoming guest could always trip on a shoe near your front door. To head off this unfortunate but all too common scenario, clear out the closest closet to the door and stack all the shoes you have in it neatly.
If you have several children, it's even more important to ensure that everyone's shoes go in the closet when they're not in use. To help you with this task, putting a few wooden shelves in the closet and color-coding them for each individual member of your household can be an invaluable precaution. If your children still carelessly leave their shoes exposed by the front door, don't be afraid to dish out severe punishments: the possible stakes are simply too high to be lenient here.
For more advice about how to handle yourself if someone is suing you, contact a firm like Clearfield & Kofsky.
Share
