As a homeowner, spending time in your backyard can be wonderfully relaxing and a great way to unwind with friends and family. But what you may not realize is your trampoline, pool, or children’s playground could be a major liability for you. Though these activities can be fun for kids, they can also lead to serious accidents and are often referred to as “attractive nuisances.” Let’s review the three most common liabilities found in your backyard and how to protect yourself.
What Are Attractive Nuisances?
Corner Law School defines attractive nuisances as, “a dangerous condition on a landowner’s property that may attract children onto the land and may involve risk or harm to their safety.” Since curious young children can be attracted to many things, it’s important to understand what items in your backyard could put an inquisitive child at risk. If an adult were to trespass or get hurt on your property, you as the property owner would be less liable, however, this is not the case for a child. Because of this, the law requires homeowners to take proper precautions to keep your backyard as safe as possible and lower the risk of an accident.
The Top 3 Most Common Backyard Liabilities
Swimming Pools
Swimming pools that have a diving board or a waterslide may seem like a fun feature, but in reality, both can lead to an unexpected drowning or injury. To prevent this from happening, consider building a fence around the pool and securely lock it when you aren’t using it. If you’re worried about losing visibility to your pool, there are glass fencing options available to keep swimmers safe while also still keeping an eye on them.
Playground Equipment
Playgrounds are a great way to let your kiddos burn some energy, but make sure to keep a close eye on them. Monkey bars and swings are the most common cause of playground injuries, so that’s why it is crucial for an adult to always be supervising. Another thing to be mindful of is the outside temperature. Hot summer days can make the swings and slides super hot resulting in burns. If the surface is too hot just by touching it with your hand, then it is too hot for a child to play on.
Trampolines
Like swimming pools and playgrounds, trampolines can be a fun activity but without the property safety guards put in place, a trampoline can be extremely dangerous. A popular option to keep jumping kids safe is a net around the perimeter of the trampoline. This will greatly reduce the risk of someone falling or jumping off the trampoline resulting in a fractured or broken bone. Also, you’ll want to remove stools or ladders that make it easier to get on the trampoline while no one is using it.
It’s important to protect curious or rambunctious kids, but it’s also crucial as a homeowner to protect your financial welfare should a lawsuit occur. Most homeowners insurance policies do provide liability coverage, but some carriers will exclude attractive nuisances. By taking the proper precautions to ensure your backyard is a safe place, you’ll lessen your risk of being held financially liable due to an accident or injury.
If you have questions about your current homeowners insurance policy coverages or want to add more liability protection through an umbrella insurance policy, contact our team at TGS Insurance. We will take the time to explain to you your different liability options, so you can have peace of mind knowing you’re protected.