Are You Liable For
Summer Fun?
Summer generally arrives
with a huge surge in recreational activity. School ends and parents start
searching for leisure and recreational activities for themselves and their
children. The activities range from elaborate vacations or summer-long camps to
simply buying play and sports equipment (or getting it out of storage) and
renewing park and pool passes.
One thing to be aware of is
that the simplest activities can go wrong. Using sports equipment such as
tennis racquets, baseballs, baseball bats, Frisbees, lawn darts, or horseshoes
has the potential to harm others. Danger accompanies the use of skateboards,
bikes, mopeds, go-karts, and radio-controlled cars, helicopters and planes. A
larger concern involves inviting friends over to use your driveway, play
equipment or swimming pool. Potential liability comes from either you having
fun at the expense of other persons or their property, or failing to take
precautions that persons you've invited to your residence (or other places) are
safe to enjoy themselves.
The easiest way to prepare
for your summer liability is to ask yourself some
questions:
While accidents happen,
many can be prevented by making sure that you and your children enjoy your
activities responsibly. Operating bikes safely and in low traffic areas reduces
the chance that others will be hurt. The proper use of games and equipment also
make the likelihood of having someone injured more remote. In other words, it's
important that your family uses sports and game equipment safely and
appropriately. Adult supervision is critical for potentially dangerous
activities such as the use of motorized recreational equipment, trampolines,
and swimming pools (including small wading pools). It's also important to make
certain that guests you invite for camping or hiking trips are watched after
carefully. In many instances, you are responsible for the safety of your guests
when you invite them to enjoy outdoor activities, particularly boating or other
activities involving water-related equipment.
Another way to reduce the
chance of others being hurt is to do an inspection of your home and yard. Do
you have an adequate fence (with secure or self-locking gate) to protect young
children from a pool when you're not around? Is your playground equipment
well-maintained and strong enough to support the weight of the children using
it? Is your yard and driveway free of tripping hazards? Are dangerous items
such as tools, chemicals and lawn equipment kept out of reach of children? If
you can answer "no" to any of these questions, you're inviting
trouble.
When accidents happen, they
may be followed by medical expenses and, more seriously, lawsuits. You must be
protected against such financial consequences. Don't assume you have coverage,
especially when an activity involves motorized or powered equipment. You may
have to add coverage to your homeowner policy or even buy special coverage for
mini-bikes, mopeds, boats, all-terrain vehicles, etc.
So make safety a part of
getting ready for summer fun. It's also smart to include a visit or call to
your insurance professional to make sure you have the right coverage to support
a fun summer.
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