Restaurant patios are, once again, open for patrons to dine in the sun. Toy store shelves are splattered with water guns, pool torpedoes and sprinkler hook-ups. And cubicle workers have begun cutting out earlier on Fridays. Summer is ramping up, and weekends are being spent at backyard barbeques and pool parties. However, if you’re planning on hosting these types of gatherings, proceed with caution.
If someone gets injured on your property, you could be on the hook for any medical expenses they may need. Before you clean off the deck and light the TIKI Torches, make sure you take the proper preventative measures to minimize accidents. In the unfortunate event that someone does get hurt on your watch, you’ll want to have quality homeowners insurance in place to cover any mishaps.
Pool Maintenance is Key
Before inviting friends and family over for a dip in your pool, make sure it’s ready for company by following these maintenance tips:
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Disinfect your pool regularly. It’s crucial to maintain the proper pH and alkalinity balances, so consult with a specialist about a treatment plan. Neglecting to treat your pool with the proper amount of chemicals could cause unsafe bacteria and algae to build up, increasing the likelihood of someone catching an infection after swimming in your pool. Since algae is slick, letting it linger also increases the risk of someone slipping and falling. Vacuum weekly – or as needed – and run your pump to clear debris.
- Keep your deck safe. Make sure your deck is in good condition and as slip-resistant as possible. If your deck is uneven, cracked or falling apart, guests may trip and fall. If they get cut or break a bone, you could be responsible. Depending on the circumstances of the injury, you could face a severe lawsuit. As a homeowner, it’s your job to not let maintenance issues go unresolved. Cracks and broken tiles should be repaired immediately, and guests should be made aware of any pool-related issues before setting foot outside. Children should always be supervised and educated on the rules of pool safety, such as no running on the pool deck and no diving into the shallow end, before letting them swim.
Make Attractive Nuisances Less Accessible
A legal loophole that can shift blame to the homeowner in personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits is when an item on your property that contributed to an injury is considered an attractive nuisance. According to the legal information site HG.org, “an attractive nuisance is a dangerous condition on a person’s property that attracts children onto the property and puts their safety in danger.”
Playground equipment, trampolines, pools and hot tubs are just a few of the most common attractive nuisances that you’ll need to let your insurer know about. In order to protect yourself and your finances, restrict access to these amenities.
If you own an in-ground swimming pool that is not enclosed, you’ll likely be at fault if a child trespasses onto your property, uses your pool and drowns. All insurance companies mandate that pools be surrounded by a fence. If you fail to comply, your insurance provider likely won’t help you at all in the event that someone is injured or killed while using your pool, leaving you to pay any medical or funeral expenses out of pocket.
It’s your responsibility as a homeowner to take the necessary precautions to make your property as safe as possible. To keep unwanted guests away and help protect unsuspecting children, put up a locked fence around your property and tubist amenities to keep anyone from wandering in and getting injured. The Red Cross recommends that all pools be surrounded with a 4-foot high fence that is self-closing and self-latching so that kids are unable to get through it or climb over it.
Get the Appropriate Coverage
You may be covered with basic liability through your homeowners insurance policy. This coverage serves as a security blanket to help protect you when someone gets injured on your property. A standard home insurance policy usually has $100,000 of liability coverage, but if you’re an owner of attractive nuisances, your liability protection should be set between $300,000 and $500,000.
Medical bills and legal fees can add up quickly. If you want to extend your coverage even further, consider adding umbrella liability – a separate policy tacked onto your homeowners insurance which extends your liability – for an extra layer of protection. This isn’t necessary for everyone, so talk to your provider and ask if getting an umbrella is the best choice for you. Most insurance companies will require you to have at least $300,000 of liability on your homeowners policy before allowing you to purchase $1 million in umbrella coverage.
Stay Safe and Keep Cool
Owning a pool and inviting guests to use it is – much like the old adage – all fun and games until someone gets hurt.
Safety, rather than entertainment, should be your utmost priority when hosting a pool party this summer. Maintaining a safe swimming environment could help cut down on the chance of someone getting injured on your property, which could save you from an expensive, messy liability claim.
Shelly White writes for Quotes.Safeco.com and HomeownersInsurance.com, an online resource for homeowners and drivers across the country. Offering automobile and homeowners insurance quotes, consumers rely on HomeownersInsurance.com for competitive rates from top-rated insurance carriers. The HomeownersInsurance.com blog provides fresh tips and advice on a range of financial topics to help homeowners and homebuyers make educated decisions about their insurance purchases.
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