How Safe is Your Backyard?

Photo: Pinterest

It’s summer, which means spending a lot more time outside. Whether you’re having some friends and family over for a cookout or pool party or just hanging out and enjoying the sunshine, your backyard is probably seeing a lot of activity.

Your home and backyard should be safe places where you can relax and have fun with family and friends.  But an accident can happen to anyone at any time. If you have any of the following, you may have a greater risk for liability if someone gets hurt on your property.  Be sure to notify your insurance agent if you have any of these items so your homeowners’ policy can be adjusted accordingly.

Trampolines. Trampolines are a lot of fun and actually a great way to stay in shape, but they can be dangerous, as well. If one of your kids or a friend feel daring and tries stunts like a flip, they can get seriously hurt if they land wrong.  Do plenty of research before buying one of these items so you’re aware of the potential safety risks.

Swing sets and play equipment. Swing sets have come a long way—most are made from molded plastic or recycled materials rather than hard metal as they were for decades, so they are already safer than they were years ago. But there are still plenty of risks with these units.

Pools. Who doesn’t like lounging poolside on a hot day? Pools are a great investment and make a nice addition to a backyard, but they can also be dangerous. According to the American Red Cross (ARC)’s website, 200 children drown in backyard swimming pools each year.  If you have a pool, make sure you and your guests follow some basic safety rules:

•         Install a fence.
•          Supervise all swimmers.
•          Keep pool chemicals out of children’s easy reach.
•          Set safety rules that must be followed (such as no running, diving, or swimming alone)
•          Know how to respond to an emergency (make sure everyone in the household can swim; get certified in CPR and first aid).

Dogs.  We all love our furry friends, but depending on the dog’s temperament, they may not love your guests.  Not all dogs are good with people other than their owners. If your dog is skittish or tends to be aggressive, it might be best to keep them in the house until your guests leave. He may bite someone if he feels threatened, which could mean a potential lawsuit for you. (If you have umbrella coverage on your homeowners’ policy, that would help in case of a lawsuit). If you don’t have an umbrella policy, don’t take a chance on your dog’s unpredictable nature, especially if young kids are on the premises. Put them in the house and check on them, but keep them away from your guests.

Summer tends to fly by, so make the most of it! Have fun and stay safe, even if you’re staying in your own backyard.