As a property owner, you are responsible for making sure that your property is safe for others to walk on. If you designate certain areas as restricted and put up sufficient signs, you still could be held liable if someone is injured on your property. From the curb to the edge of your backyard, you need to know how to prevent slips, trips, and falls on your property.
Routine Maintenance
If you live in an area where it snows, then you need to shovel and salt your walkways and driveway regularly. If you have trees or bushes near your walkways, then you need to prune them to make sure there are no walking hazards for people. If you have a damaged walkway, then you need to fix it immediately. If the public walkway in front of your house is damaged, then you need to contact city hall immediately to report it.
Use Good Fencing
If you put up signs restricting access to your property but you do not put up good fences, then you could still be liable if someone gets hurt. In many communities, it is part of the zoning laws that homeowners must put up fences if they install pools in their backyards. Instead of taking any chances, you should install good fencing in your home to keep people out of various parts of your property.
Be Vigilant With Reporting Issues
If a tree root starts to push up the sidewalk in front of your home, then is that your responsibility? If you see problems like this, you should report them to your local government immediately. They will tell you if the problem is theirs to take care of, or if the property owner must fix it.
Anticipate Slips
If you have wooden or tile front steps that you know get slippery in wet or snowy weather, then it is up to you to take the proper precautions. If your deck is made from slick material that can become dangerous in the rain, then you need to install walking strips that will prevent falls from happening.
Make Repairs ASAP
That loose step on your front porch might not bother you, but it is an accident waiting to happen for a visitor to your property. When you notice damage to your property that could turn into a slip or trip hazard, then take the necessary steps to make repairs immediately.
Call In A Pro
If you are not a professional contractor, then it is asking a lot for you to be able to identify any potential slip or trip hazards on your property. Each year, you should bring in a professional contractor who can help you to identify hazards and give you a price on making the necessary repairs.
A slip or trip accident on your property that results in an injury could wind up costing you and your insurance company a lot of money. You can avoid being considered negligent if you take the necessary steps to make your property safe, and put up the proper barriers to keep people out of areas where they should not be.