Business&RealEstate Accidents just waiting to happen in homes

You’re now considering putting your home on the market. You have done some painting, spruced up the interior and exterior and everything appears to look superb. However, many have forgotten one thing; the potential hazards that may exist inside and outside your home.

One must walk around your home to see if there are any possible areas where someone could trip, fall, break a leg, etc. whether it is a purchaser, agent, home inspector or appraiser, or even a friend or neighbor. The United States is the most litigious country on the globe and lawsuits are commonplace, especially today with all that is going on in the world.

There have been so many lawsuits due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Businesses like cruise lines and nursing homes, for example, have had to be extremely careful with their safety and hygiene issues to keep their clients free from diseases and exposure to Covid-19. This has been a taxing and challenging situation for all businesses and the costs have had a tremendous impact on the bottom line to keep people safe and healthy.

Businesses have a legal duty to keep their premises cleaned regu- larly, sanitary and safe for the public. Product safety has been and is a major concern and must be kept up to date so as not to pose an unreasonable risk to users. When using products, proper instructions must always be provided and adhered to for the safety of the public.

I would suggest that you should walk around your home to see what hazards exist, as you also are liable for anyone coming into your home who might get hurt or worse even if you note “enter at your own risk.” Toys, small objects on the foor, sharp corners, slippery foors, loose carpeting, or anything else that might cause harm to a visitor should be addressed and alleviated, especially when starting the showings of your home for sale.

Once you have rectifed any issues inside your home, then take a stroll around the exterior of your property to see what hazards might exist to cause future issues and potential lawsuits. Most important are your sidewalks and front and rear walkways. Is the cement, slate, or pavers level on your sidewalks level? Are there any slabs that would cause anyone to trip and fall, potentially breaking a leg, or arm, or worse hitting their head, causing them to have a concussion?

This is your responsibility (not your local village or town) to make sure you protect the public from irreparable harm and injury. You should make sure that your homeowner’s insurance provides adequate coverage in the event of a claim. I always suggest to my seller clients to have an umbrella policy, over and above their normal homeowner’s in-

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