Being conscientious about safety can help reduce personal injury claims against your home. Such claims typically get filed against your homeowners insurance and can result in higher insurance costs or, in some cases, denial of future insurance coverage. You may also incur your own out-of-pocket expenses related to deductibles or damages exceeding your policy limits. In any case, it can be a big headache and unexpected expense. Here are some safety tips to help minimize your risk of personal injury claims against your home.
Add Sufficient Lighting to Walkways and Stairways
Dark walkways and stairways are a common safety hazard. If someone can’t clearly see where they are going, they are more likely to fall or trip. Evaluate your lighting in both exterior and interior spaces to ensure that there are no danger zones.
Look for Slip and Trip Hazards
Even in well lit areas, there can be slipping and tripping hazards. Here are a few dangerous conditions to look for and address:
- Uneven walking surfaces (such as stones or tiles).
- Loose floor coverings such as carpeting or area rugs.
- Slick surfaces in entryways that can become slippery when wet.
- Inconsistent spacing in the height of steps.
- Changes in floor elevation that may not be noticeable (i.e. a step in an unexpected location where the flooring color doesn’t change and there’s nothing to mark the step).
Identify Other Dangers
Here are a few other dangers that may be present in your home:
- Exposed electrical wires.
- Low ceiling beams in highly traveled areas.
- Loose fixtures and structures such as trim or wall shelves.
More on Reducing Personal Injury Claims Against Your Homeowners Insurance Policy
Looking for and addressing any hazards in your home is the best way of reducing personal injury claims against your homeowners insurance policy. Most repairs require little expense, especially when compared against the potential cost of a lawsuit. Lastly, don’t forget to consider children when looking for potential dangers in your home!
