Ways to Prevent Accidents at Home
Accidents can happen anywhere, even in our own homes, which is where we are supposed to feel the safest. Every year, countless people in California suffer preventable injuries when accidents occur inside the house or on private property. Injuries sustained at another person’s home are commonly caused by slips, falls, dog bites, pool accidents, and other hazards.
Many of these accidents occur when someone is expecting a delivery, hosting friends and family, or leaving their home under the care of another person while on vacation. That’s why homeowners need to implement proactive safety measures. Doing so can significantly reduce the risk of an accident and protect both your loved ones and anyone who visits your property.
At Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we’ve seen firsthand how devastating a serious injury can be, even when it occurs in your own home, both physically and financially. Below, we outline five ways to prevent accidents at home and explain how our legal team can help if you sustain an injury on someone else’s property.
Secure Pets to Prevent Dog Bite Injuries
One of the simplest ways to prevent accidents at home is to make sure your pets are properly managed, especially dogs. Even friendly, well-trained dogs can become anxious or territorial when unfamiliar people enter the yard or home. This can lead to bites or attacks during deliveries, when having friends and family over, or while you’re not at home. To ensure the safety of those entering your property, and your pet:
- Always secure your dog in a separate room, kennel, or fenced-in area when guests or service providers are expected to arrive at the house.
- Use clear signage such as “Beware of Dog” or “Do Not Enter” to warn visitors, passersby, and delivery drivers.
- If someone is watching your home while you’re on vacation, make sure to provide written instructions on how to handle your pets safely.
Dog bites can cause serious injuries, scarring, and emotional trauma. Under California law, homeowners are typically held strictly liable for dog bite injuries that occur on their property. At Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we help dog bite victims pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress following dog attacks.
Fence and Lock Pools to Prevent Drownings
If your home has a swimming pool, homeowners must maintain proper barriers and fences around their pools to prevent accidents at home. Pool-related accidents, especially involving children, can be tragic and often happen in a matter of seconds. On average, there are 6500 accidents to the ER for pool-related accidents and drownings per year throughout the US. It’s important to remember that child drownings are silent, and therefore, having a proper fence in place to prevent access to the pool is essential. To promote pool safety:
- Install a self-closing, self-latching gate with a fence around the pool area. This gate and fence should meet California safety code requirements.
- Ensure that locks remain secure and engaged at all times, particularly when the pool is not in use, when you are expecting company, or when you’re not at home.
- Install pool alarms that send off a warning sound and notification to your phone, or install pool covers for extra protection.
- Never leave children or guests unattended or out of sight when they are near water, even for just a couple of seconds.
Drowning and near-drowning incidents are devastating and can cause traumatic brain injury, lifelong disabilities, and even lead to wrongful death. Our team of personal injury lawyers represents families who have lost loved ones due to pool negligence, helping them seek justice and financial recovery through wrongful death or premises liability claims.
Eliminate Trip and Fall Hazards Inside the Home
Another important tip on how to prevent accidents at home is making sure that all indoor areas are free of trip and fall hazards. Falls are among the most common causes of serious injury in the home, especially for older adults and visitors who may be unfamiliar with your home’s layout. Steps to reduce the risk of falls include:
- Keep floors throughout the home clutter-free and remove loose cords, throw rugs, or obstacles from walkways. This is especially important if you are expecting to have older guests or guests with mobility restrictions.
- Make sure to repair uneven flooring, loose tiles in the front walkway, or damaged carpeting immediately.
- Make sure there is adequate lighting throughout hallways, stairs, and entrances, as well as outside the home.
- Clean any spills promptly to prevent slip and fall accidents in kitchens and bathrooms.
If a guest or delivery worker is injured on your property because unsafe conditions caused them to be injured, you could be held liable. On the other hand, if you or a loved one suffers a fall due to another person’s negligence, our team at Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers can help you file a claim to recover damages for medical treatment, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Maintain Safe Outdoor Walkways and Entrances
Safety doesn’t just pertain to the inside of your home. Outdoor areas pose just as many risks, especially when people are coming to your home for deliveries, get-togethers, or maintenance work. Preventing outdoor slips or trips and falls is just as important as the other listed ways to prevent accidents at home. To improve outdoor safety:
- Repair cracked or uneven sidewalks, driveways, and steps.
- Make sure walkways, driveways, and sidewalks have proper outdoor lighting for guests arriving after dark.
- Remove leaves, water, or ice buildup that can create slippery conditions.
- Trim bushes or overgrown plants that obstruct walkways.
Make It Easy For Delivery Drivers
With the rise of online shopping and food delivery services, delivery drivers visit homes more frequently than ever. Making your property safe and accessible for deliveries, no matter what it is, is another essential step in preventing accidents at home. A poorly lit walkway, uneven or broken steps, or an unsecured pet can easily cause an accident, leading to injuries and potential legal liability. You can protect both drivers and yourself by:
- Clearing walkways and driveways of obstacles, debris, or wet leaves.
- Make sure there is adequate lighting at your front door and entryway.
- Providing clear house numbers and, if possible, specific drop-off instructions.
- Securing pets before opening the door or before a scheduled delivery.
If a delivery driver slips, trips, or is bitten by a dog when making a delivery, the accident could result in a personal injury claim against the homeowner or resident. Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers represents injured workers who are seeking rightful compensation for unsafe property conditions.
How Our Firm Can Help After a Home Accident In California
Despite a homeowner’s best efforts, accidents can still happen. When they result in injuries, the consequences can be overwhelming, and often include medical bills, missed work, and emotional distress. All of these things can take a serious toll.
That’s where our team at Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers comes in. Our experienced team handles a wide range of premises liability and personal injury claims throughout Stockton and Modesto, including:
- Slip and fall or trip and fall injuries
- Dog bite and animal attack cases
- Pool and drowning accidents
- Accidents caused by unsafe property conditions
- Delivery driver accidents
- Much more
Contact Our Team Today
We work tirelessly to investigate the accident, determine liability, and secure the full compensation you deserve for your injuries. Property owners and homeowners have a duty to maintain safe conditions inside and outside their homes. When that duty is breached and someone gets hurt as a direct result, legal action may be necessary to hold them accountable.
If you’ve been injured in a home accident in California, don’t hesitate to contact our firm today for a free consultation. We will review your case, explain your legal options, and fight to recover the compensation you need to move forward and recover from your injuries.
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