Winter can be a treacherous time of year. Ice and snow can lead to car accidents, falls and injuries. Falling an ice can seriously injure anyone, but can be especially dangerous for children & the elderly. But did you know that if someone slips and falls on your property, you are considered responsible and are therefore liable? Exact laws vary from place to place, but homeowners are responsible to “mitigate risks to others on their property” which means that as a homeowner you are responsible to put forth a good faith effort to keep your property free of ice and other dangers. Simply put, if you know about ice and snow you are responsible to clean it up. During storms it is best to salt or sand driveways and walkways to decrease the chance for ice and especially to prevent black ice from forming, which can be the most treacherous since it is not easily seen. If someone does fall on your property they may file a “slip and fall” lawsuit, which can cost you several thousand dollars (although your homeowners insurance may cover part of it). To avoid this the best step to take is prevention, so if the temperature falls below freezing you should salt your driveway, sidewalks, and walkways as a precaution. Laying salt before it snows helps to prevent ice from forming in the first place.
Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.