Remember the days when you snuck into the next door neighbor’s yard to play on their trampoline or turned their discarded junk into an impromptu playground? While these childhood adventures may seem innocent, did you know that under the legal principle known as the attractive nuisance doctrine, homeowners face potential liability issues when this happens? Enticing features on your property that might attract children, even without your permission, can pose a risk of harm to them for which you’ll be held accountable.
Attractive nuisances encompass various items such as swimming pools, trampolines, DIY equipment, burnt-out cars, climbing frames, treehouses … pretty much anything fun. Homeowners, therefore, have a legal obligation to either secure these attractions or get rid of them to remove the danger entirely. Here are some essential ways to navigate this legal landscape.
Consider getting rid of it. It seems like the sad option, but the simplest approach to reduce liability and save on home insurance is to get rid of it. You can usually find a charity or potential taker on Gumtree or Freecycle who’ll be glad to take it.
Make sure you’re covered. Your home insurer will be able to work with you to ensure coverage for potential attractive nuisances. Be open and honest with them, and they should have options available to set you up properly.
Seal off the area. Consider putting up barriers, either temporary ones or permanent features like fences with self-closing gates, especially for pools. Confirm that all safety mechanisms are functional to prevent accidents.
Call or email us today to find out how you can avoid the pitfalls of attractive nuisances through your insurance policy.