When you invite someone into your home or business, you owe it to them to ensure that your premises are reasonably safe and secure. Slip and fall accidents are the cause of roughly 8.7 million trips to the emergency room every year in the United States, according to this year’s edition of Injury Facts. Workplace slip and fall accidents cost employers and employees millions of work days and billions of dollars every year. Before you invite someone onto your property, you should take a few minutes to check for potential hazards that could leave you on the hook in a premises liability claim.
Look around for objects on the floor that could be placed elsewhere. Shoes, boxes, newspapers and bags should be placed in cabinets or otherwise stored where visitors will not trip over them. Make sure there are no slippery surfaces in or around your house. Wet, slick linoleum or tile, greasy kitchen floors, and oily sidewalks are all possible causes of a slip and fall accident. The areas around swimming pools and the kitchen floor are two of the most common areas that can become slick during a party or other social event. Make sure that hallways, walkways, stairwells and entrances are kept clear of obstacles. Make sure your home and the surrounding areas are well lit so guests can see where they are going.
When visiting the property of another, the best you can do is to be aware of the potential hazards. Slippery floors can be combated by proper footwear, to a certain extent. If the event calls for high heels and dress shoes, you just need to be careful about where you walk. Again, any entry point is likely to be slick if it raining outside and anyplace where food is prepared is bound to become slippery.
Slip and fall accidents are always a danger when inviting others onto your property. The time you spend making your environment safe for visitors could save you significant headaches and could save them from painful injuries.
Source: Coast River Business Journal, “5 Tips to Help Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls at Work and at Home,” From W.W. Grainger Inc., June 19 2012
