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Preventing Slip-and-Fall Injuries in Your Home

July 25, 2018

Preventing Slip-and-Fall Injuries in Your Home

Your home should make everyone, including guests, feel safe and secure. Unfortunately, your home may present unforeseen risks. As part of the Occupiers’ Liability Act,” homeowners owe a duty of care to all people entering their premises to ensure they are reasonably safe while on the premises. Homeowners can be held responsible when someone is injured on their property if they have not lived up to this standard of care.

Hazardous slip and fall conditions and poorly lit exteriors often result in serious physical injury. By addressing these potential problems and taking proactive precautionary measures, you can prevent and protect household members and visitors from dangerous conditions in your home.

Way to Prevent Slip-and-Fall Accidents

Slips and falls can happen to anyone, but they are more common among younger or older people. Luckily, these accidents can be prevented. Here are some strategies to prevent falls at home:

 

  • Use Pads for Area Rugs – Area rugs add aesthetic value to any room, but they can be a source of household injuries. Use pads for area rugs to prevent adults and children from accidentally slipping.

 

  • Keep Driveways and Sidewalks Clean – Maintain cleanliness in the driveway and sidewalk, especially during winter and fall months. They should be free from debris, snow, leaves, and ice. Repair cracks and splits as quickly as possible.

 

  • Install Proper Lighting – Falling down the stairs is a common household injury. Install overhead lights at the top and bottom of the staircase to maintain visibility at all times.
  • Install Grab Bars and Handrails – Installing grab bars and handrails prevent dangerous slips and falls on slippery surfaces (e.g. shower, bathtub, swimming pool), which may lead to concussions or other traumatic brain injuries.

 

 

Unconscious man

 

 

 

  • Keep Stairs Clear – Nearly half of household accidents happen on the stairs. Clear the steps of anything that can be tripped on. Remove toys, pet bowls, and other items that are in the way. Make sure handrails are properly installed and secured.

 

Child opens window with lock. Protection from falling out of chi

 

  • Make Windows Safe for Kids – To protect children from falling out of windows, install window guards with a quick release mechanism to control the opening of the window. Keep furniture away from the window to prevent children from climbing near them.

Keeping the house a safe zone for children and older adults gives homeowners peace of mind, especially when welcoming guests. However, if you are injured in a slip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property due to negligence, you have a legal right to file a claim and obtain compensation for your injuries.

 

If you believe that you have a valid slip-and-fall claim, call Michelle Linka Law at 416-477-7288 to schedule a free legal consultation. Our lawyers in Richmond Hill will guide you through the process for a more favorable settlement.

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