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Making Your House Safe While Being "Safe At Home"

Posted by: at 1:12 PM on March 30th, 2020

Keeping a positive attitude and staying active during these uncertain times will help you stay healthier, both mentally and physically.   If you and your family are looking to be productive at home, dive into some home projects. 

After months of snow and ice covering yards, sidewalks and deck, there’s going to be some repairs and cleaning to do.   Long exposure to the winter weather can damage and break outside fixtures. Potholes, weak stairs, rotted floorboards, slippery walkways, and crumbling railings can all lead to someone getting seriously injured.  Those injuries can lead to expensive medical bills and even lawsuits.

It is the responsibility on the landowner to keep their premises reasonably safe for those who are there legally. While the exact definition of “reasonably safe” depends on the precise circumstances of your case.  However, if there is any chance that you did not adequately fix up your property after winter’s beating, you could face a lawsuit if someone got hurt on your property.

Take some time now to fixing dangerous conditions on the most used portions of your property.   While you’re at it, go ahead and do a check of other spaces and items for your family’s safety.   Here’s a starter checklist for you;

  • Check porches, railways and decks for broke or rotted sections that need replaced
  • Look for and remove any loose rocks or pavement on your driveway or walkways.
  • If the repairs aren’t something you can do immediately, mark the dangers on your property with prominent signs.
  • Fill in depressions in your yard that may have appeared over the winter
  • Ensure any outdoor furniture, firepits or build in grills are free of damage
  • Remove any rust or corrosion on external fixtures
  • Make sure gutters and drainage run offs are free of debris
  • Check your home for Radon, in lower areas such as basement and crawl spaces.  Radon is the second leading cause of Lung Cancer and one in 15 homes has unhealthy levels of this odor less gas.  If you don’t have one, pick up a Radon detector at your local hardware store and check your home.  It’s an inexpensive way to ensure your family’s safety
  • Ensure that dark, dank areas in your home are well ventilated to fight against Black Mold.  This toxic mold can lead to severe respiratory problems
  • Make sure you dryer’s exhaust pipe is clean and clog free.   A clogged exhaust can lead to fire.
  • Fireplace creosote can be another fire hazard. Along with a regular cleaning by professionals, using special creosote cleaning logs every few months can help avoid and breakdown build up.
  • Check your home’s smoke detectors and ensure that they are all in working order 

Even while social distancing and isolation guidelines are in place, there are still going to be non-family members coming onto your property; Mail and package carrier, take out deliveries, meter readers, etc.    Make sure your home’s exterior is safe for them as well as your family.

If you or someone you love is injured in an accident, contact us.  We offer a free consultation and review of your issue as well as 40 years of experience in getting our client’s the justice they deserve.