Being Safe with Your Portable Generator

When a hurricane or tropical storm hits the Central Florida area, you can be sure power outages will follow, some of which can drag on for weeks. Due to that scenario, many people have chosen to purchase a portable generator. Maybe you are one of them. 

While portable generators are convenient and can bring relief during power outages, they are not always used correctly. Carbon monoxide poisoning is all too common with portable generators. Here are several ways you can be sure you are safe when using your portable generator.

Outside Not Inside

Always use your portable generator outside. Exhaust fumes from your portable generator will fill your house with carbon monoxide and slowly poison you, your family, and any pets you may have. This rule also applies to your garage, attic, and basement.

It is a good idea when using a generator near your house to have carbon monoxide detectors. Strong winds can blow the exhaust from your generator into the house through an open door or window.  It would be best to keep your generator at least ten feet from your house, but even at that distance, winds could still blow the exhaust into your home.

Keep it Dry

Remember, your portable generator produces electricity, and electrocution is a natural hazard. Do not place your generator in a puddle or damp ground that could conduct electricity. Never use your generator when it rains unless you have a shelter that will keep it and the land around it dry, the cover won’t trap carbon monoxide, and it is not flammable.

Don’t Back Feed

Backfeeding occurs when a generator is plugged into an outlet like the ones above your kitchen counter or where your lamps are plugged in. If you send power into your home by that method, you send electricity in the wrong direction, and nothing good can come of it.

Frying your TV or computer is possible when you back feed with your portable generator. Backfeeding also sends power out to the nearby power lines and has caused the death of more than one lineman trying to repair the lines.

To avoid back-feeding, you must install a transfer switch before a power outage happens. Make sure a licensed electrician installs the transfer switch so it is installed correctly. The transfer switch will switch the load from the power lines to the generator to ensure power from both sources doesn’t cause severe damage to your home, appliances, and electronics.

There are two types of transfer switches, automatic and manual. Automatic is preferable because it switches when it senses that a power source has been gained or lost.

Keep Cool

Don’t ever add gasoline to your portable generator while it is running; not only is it hot and explosive, gas is a conductor of electricity.  Pouring gasoline into a portable running generator could end in your electrocution.

Likewise, don’t pour gas into a generator into it when it’s hot, even if it is not running. Portable generators can get very hot and will likely ignite the gasoline being poured. A trip to a burn unit is not why you purchased a portable generator. 

With that in mind, keep your portable generator away from anything that off-gasses flammable fumes. Things like solvent-based paints and cleaning products should be kept away from your portable generator. Don’t place any materials that could quickly burn against your generator either; this includes rags soaked in solvents, things like hay or straw, and paper.

If you follow these safety tips, there is no reason that you should not be comfortable in your home while the power is out around you.

If you have any questions about Homeowners Insurance or Generator Safety, contact us via email or at (863) 646-LOCK.

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Buying the Best Car Seat

Knowing that you have a car seat to keep your child safe is a priority if you are a parent. You want to ensure your child won’t be seriously injured in a car accident every time you pull out of the driveway. But how can you ensure that your chosen car seat is safe? Here are some tips to help you find your child’s best car seat.

Get a Seat for the Long Haul

If you are purchasing a seat for an infant, realize that they grow tremendously in the first five years. You are wasting money if you buy a car seat that doesn’t adapt to your child’s growth. Your baby will eventually face forward in its car seat, so think of the car seat as a long-term investment. If it sounds expensive, there are a variety of different-priced car seats available.

Make Sure the Seat is Safe

If you are busy, you may miss a story on the news about that car seat you just bought is the subject of a recall. How do you find out if there is a recall on your car seat? Go to seatcheck.org to find out if your purchased seat has been recalled. It would be wise to visit the site before buying a car seat. By doing this, you will ensure that your child is safe.

Make Sure the Seat is New

Never place your child in a used car seat. Older car seats may not meet current safety standards for car seats. Used car seats often have missing vital components that will cause the car seat to be less effective or fail.  If you don’t want to put your child in danger, never put a used car seat in your vehicle.

Keep it Clean

Your infant will undoubtedly spit up in the car seat, needing to be cleaned often. When choosing a car seat, find it easy to clean. Make sure that the coverings can be removed and washed or easily replaced. 

LATCH On

If you purchase a car seat, be aware of the LATCH system. The latch system uses a system of straps, hooks, and anchors to secure a car seat. In the LATCH system, seatbelts are not used with the car seat. While research does not show that LATCH is more effective than using a seat belt, it does not show it is worse than seat belts. There are two schools of thought on which is better, and research is needed to understand each system. The decision rests with you if you want to use the LATCH system or a car seat that utilizes a seat belt.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Be sure to measure the car seat to see if it will fit in your car. If you are in a smaller car, some seats might not fit. If your vehicle is older, it may not have anchors for the LATCH system either, so be sure you know what kind of car seat you are purchasing.

Buying a car seat takes some due diligence, but in the end, when you have chosen the right car seat, you are ensuring your child’s safety in your vehicle for the duration of their childhood.

If you have any questions about Auto Insurance and Car Seat Safety, contact us at (863) 646-LOCK.

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Insurance and Your Home Get Together

Are you hosting a family reunion or neighborhood party at your house or perhaps an apartment? Before you have that big event in your home, it’s wise in this litigious age to ensure you are protected.

You need to know what your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy covers if a guest is injured. You should also know what is covered if your guest damages your property.

We all have that one uncle who drinks a little too much at Thanksgiving and then stumbles into something valuable and breaks it.  It would be unfortunate if you were under the impression that your insurance policy covered such incidents when they were not.

Here are some things you will want to ensure are in your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy.

How to Deal with Injuries to Guests at Your Party

Be Proactive

• The first way to deal with injuries to your guests at your party is to prevent them. Here are some things to look for in your home:
• Ensure the carpet or rugs are not bunched up where someone could trip.
• Coil up any garden hoses so they will not become a trip hazard.
• Mow your lawn so there are no holes or trip hazards hidden by tall grass.
• Make sure guests are not walking across a slippery surface.
• Remove any objects with sharp edges or points that could cut or bruise a guest.
• Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are used and have fresh batteries.
• Be aware of impending severe weather that may make driving home unsafe for your guests. End the party early to ensure guests can go home safely if necessary.
• Don’t allow too many guests on a small balcony at one time.
• Ensure that furniture for the party, such as folding chairs are sturdy and won’t break under the weight of a guest.
• Ensure the food being served is not undercooked or has been left out too long.
• If alcohol is being served, make sure everyone drinking has a designated driver and knows when to cut someone off. If a guest has been drinking and does not have a designated driver, offer to drive them home or call a cab or Uber.
• Stop serving alcohol at least an hour before the party ends.

When an Injury to a Guest Happens

If an accident happens, take these steps:

• Deal with the injury first. If it is severe, call 911.
• Make sure other guests are uninjured.
• Take pictures of the wound with a smartphone or digital camera.
• Quickly report the incident to the insurance company and include the names and contact information of the guest who witnessed the incident.
• If you can, preserve the scene for the insurance company to look at firsthand. If you cannot take multiple pictures from numerous angles and distances.

When Damage to Your Home or Property Occurs

If the structure of your home or apartment is damaged or any of the property inside of it, take the following steps.

• Take pictures with a smartphone or digital camera.
• Call the insurance company to see if the damage is covered.
• Just like the recommendation for an injured guest, if possible, preserve the scene for the insurance company to come and survey. As with an injured guest, if you cannot persevere to the location where the damage occurred, take multiple pictures from numerous angles and distances.

If you have made your home safe and know what your policy covers, you can rest easy when guests arrive at your party that you are prepared.

If you have any questions about Homeowners Insurance, contact us via email or at (863) 646-LOCK.

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Is Your Teen Ready for the Road?

It can be a nerve-wracking experience, your teen, who you raised as a baby, is now ready to traverse the roadways, and you aren’t sure if he or she is prepared. While they may be mature enough to handle the responsibility and may have finished driver’s ed, you are just not convinced that it is time for him or her to take to the road.  Here are some ways you can be sure if your teenager is ready to drive down the streets of your town.

Equip them with Equipment.

It is second nature to you to know where everything in your car is, but your teen does not have the years of experience driving that you have obtained. The first thing that you should do before taking to the road is to know where all the essential equipment is in your vehicle. Your teen probably knows about the break and gas pedals but may not know how to adjust the side mirrors or use the wash feature with the windshield wipers. Here is a list of all the things your teen should know how to operate the vehicle before taking to the road:

• Headlights
• Windshield Wipers
• The steering wheel and seat adjustments
• Hazzard Lights
• Turn Signals
• Seat Adjustments
• Side Mirrors
• Rear View Mirror
• Parking Break (Emergency Break)

Your teen should also understand what the warning lights mean on the dashboard; a key can usually be found in the owner’s manual or online.

Make Sure Your Teen is Comfortable with the Vehicle

That empty grocery store parking lot down the street you’ve been complaining about is now your ally. It is the perfect place to let your teen drive slowly.

Your teen can get a feel for applying the gas and brakes, and if you have a manual transmission, your son or daughter can learn how to shift gears in the parking lot.

With all those empty parking spaces around, you can teach your teen how to park. Use cones in the adjacent parking spaces to simulate parked cars if you have cones.

An empty parking lot is also perfect for your teen to drive in rain, fog, or snow. The parking lot will provide safety the roads can’t as they learn how to turn into a slide. After practicing in the parking lot a few times, your teen will be ready for the next steps.

Getting Your Teen on The Road

Staring out in low-traffic areas like your neighborhood is a wise idea. Start below the speed limit; your teen may not have the reaction time yet to react when an animal or child runs out in front of them.

After being on the road at a slower speed a few times, gradually increase the rate your teen drives until they are driving at the speed limit. Ensure that there is an understanding of the different traffic signs and what they mean. After your teen has learned the basics, like merging into traffic and being a defensive driver, you can move on to more advanced roadways.

Getting on the on-ramp to the interstate or a highway can be intimidating to a teen, but if you have prepared them, panic won’t set in. Ensure they know how to accelerate until their speed matches the traffic they will be merging with on the interstate or highway.  Once your teen has had the first eighteen-wheeler blow past, he or she will feel less anxiety when the next one comes along.

Before you let your teen drive alone, make sure of the following:

• Your teen knows how to change a flat tire.
• Your teen won’t text and drive.
• That your teen won’t be tempted to speed or race against friends.
• Your teen knows to watch the fuel gauge.
• Your teen will perform regular maintenance on the vehicle.

Once you have decided your teen can drive alone, you can take solace in the fact that you have prepared her or him for the challenges of being on the road.

Should you have any questions about Auto Insurance for you and your teen, contact us via email or at (863) 646-LOCK.

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What to do if Your Vehicle is Recalled Due to Safety

If you were watching the nightly news and saw that your car, truck, or SUV was recalled, you are one of the millions who have had their vehicle recalled for a defect that affected safety over the past decade. There is usually scant detail about this looming danger to you and your loved ones when you ride in the family car. You have no idea where and how to start looking into your vehicle being recalled; with that in mind, here are some actions you can take when your car is placed.

Make Sure the Model of Your Vehicle is Being Recalled

If you purchased the vehicle directly from the dealer, a notice will be sent to you in the mail if your car is of the type being recalled. Dealerships are required by law to inform their customers when a recall occurs so that they will be contacted. Suppose you are not the original owner or are unwilling to wait because, say, something such as the gas pedal sticking to the floor or a component that causes the gas tank to explode is the reason for the recall. In that case, there is a way to determine if your vehicle is being recalled.

Every car has what is known as a vehicle identification number (VIN) that tracks things like transactions the car was involved in and things like recalls. Usually, you can locate the VIN on the front corner of the dashboard in front of the steering wheel. Sometimes, it will be found on the driver’s side door jamb when you open it.

You can use the vehicle’s VIN to safercar.gov, which the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration runs.  You can determine if the recall applies to your vehicle by entering the VIN.

My Vehicle was Recalled. What do I do Now?

When you receive a letter from the dealership where you purchased the car, it will give you instructions on setting up an appointment at the dealership or with an authorized mechanic to perform repairs.

If you did not purchase the car directly from a dealer, contact the manufacturer dealership in your area, and they will be able to assist you. In most cases, there won’t be a charge for repairs. However, if the recall is on tires, you will only have 180 days to have them replaced before a fee is assessed.

Be on Guard

Unfortunately, the reputation of car dealerships and mechanics being unscrupulous has been well earned by some. Remember, there is no charge for repairs in almost all vehicle recalls. If the dealership you received the letter from or the dealer-authorized mechanic who will do the repairs asks for money, take your car home.

Contact another manufacturer dealership and explain what happened; in most cases, they will offer assistance or direct you to another authorized mechanic.

As previously stated, the only scenarios where there would be fees associated with recalls are when the car is older or it’s past 180 days on a tire recall. There should be no charge on a recently purchased vehicle. 

If you encounter someone trying to charge for recalls, be sure to inform the manufacturer and the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration.

So, breathe easy; having your car recalled may cause some slight inconvenience, but it is not the ordeal many think it will be.

Should you have any questions about Vehicle Recalls or Auto Insurance, please email us or call us at (863) 646-LOCK.

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The Facts About Life Insurance

You may have thought about buying a life insurance policy to secure your loved ones if something happens and you are no longer here. Even with that basic knowledge, you may still be unsure of how life insurance works and what it entails. It can be hard to contemplate your fate, but you are hardly alone. Too many people put off purchasing life insurance and leave their families to bear the burden of debts, funeral costs, and other expenses. Let’s take a closer look at why you need life insurance and how it works.

What is Life Insurance?

Life insurance is a contract between the insurance company and you, the policyholder. The agreement guarantees that if anything happens to you, your loved ones, the beneficiaries, will receive a benefit at the time of your death. The life insurance policy will give you the peace of mind of knowing that your loved ones can continue to live the same lifestyle they had in the same place. Life insurance can even let you leave money to a charity that is important to you.

What are the Different Types of Life Insurance?

All life insurance policies have the same goal: to ensure beneficiaries receive payment when you pass away. There are, however, various types of life insurance available.

Short-term protection – Term life insurance falls under this heading. A policy can be purchased for a definite time, usually ten to thirty years. If your demise happens in that period, your beneficiary will receive payment of a death benefit. If you outlive the covered period, then the policy ends.

Long-term protection – This is also known as permanent life insurance, including whole and universal life insurance. Long-term protection covers you for the rest of your life. Like term coverage, long-term protection yields a death benefit to your beneficiary at the time. It also offers benefits before your death, such as having a cash value that can be accessed in times of need, such as a child’s wedding or college tuition. Some retirees have used long-term protection policies to supplement their income.

One type of policy may be enough to cover your needs, or you may want a combination of different coverages. What you choose depends on your particular situation. Discussing your needs with an agent can help you to decide what coverage or coverages are best for you and your loved ones. As time passes, your needs may change. Periodic reviews of your policies to gauge if adjustments are needed to your policy will ensure your loved one’s needs are met.

What Amount of Life Insurance is Needed?

Everyone’s needs are different, and there is no one size fits all policy. Sometimes the group coverage you receive through your employer is just not enough.  Most life insurance policies obtained through group coverage are not portable, so when you leave the company, you most likely leave the life insurance. You need to examine what will play a role in determining how much life insurance you need. Factors like the size of your family, the value of your home, how much debt you’ve incurred, and your business (if you own one). If you have children, you will want to ensure coverage of essential expenses, such as food and clothing, to future costs like college tuition.

The key factor is what you want for your family.  How much help do you want to leave for your family when you can no longer be with them? Do you want to keep them headed toward their life goals? Do you want to make sure your spouse can stay in the home you made together? These are just a few things you may want to take into consideration.

Is Life Insurance Expensive?

Your age and health will determine how much life insurance costs. Younger and healthier people typically pay lower premiums. However, the cost of not having life insurance cannot be put into a dollar value. If you do not invest in life insurance, the burden left on your loved ones will be costly.

Getting life insurance is an easy way to have peace of mind knowing that if something happens to you, your family will be able to carry on.

If you have any questions about Life Insurance, contact us via email or at (863) 646-LOCK.

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Protecting Your Home Based Business

You may be like the growing number of people who have left their job to start a home business. When you create a small home business, you need equipment such as a computer, printer or printer, or specialized equipment.  All those items are probably covered by your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, but there is more cost.  Having your computer damaged or destroyed costs time and most likely will result in lost revenue and data; homeowner’s or renter’s insurance does not cover lost profits or intellectual property.  There is good news if you own a small home business, you can protect it; let’s take a more in-depth look.

Options to Protect Your Small Home Business

In-home Business Policy

An in-home business policy gives a more comprehensive coverage for business equipment and liability than a homeowner’s policy. An in-home business policy can provide scope for lost income. In some guidelines, the range covers losses or damage from business activities at the insured’s home or rental residence and off-site at a different place. This added benefit means the business property is covered while a business owner is in transit and gives liability coverage at business-related activities at a trade show or a customer’s home. These policies, also known as in-home business endorsements, can differ significantly depending on the insurer.

Increased Business Property Limits on Homeowners Insurance

Another option that small home business owners have available is to increase coverage limits on their homeowner’s insurance.  A homeowner’s policy could cover as much as $1,500 of personal property. Things like vitamin samples, tools, and office furniture may be included. The coverage protects the business merchandise or equipment you keep at home. It may also offer additional coverage for your business property while in your car or at a customer’s home. If this is not enough coverage, you may have the option to increase coverage with what is known as a homeowner’s policy endorsement.  It would be a wise choice if your small home business meets the following criteria:

• You will have less than $4,999 of business property in your home.
• You meet with customers exclusively at their homes or at a neutral location like a coffee shop.
• You don’t have more than $750 worth of personal property intended for use in business away from your home.

A Business Insurance Policy

Some home-based businesses are not eligible for additional business property or in-home business coverage due to the kind of business or its annual Income. In such cases, a business insurance policy is the best choice. This fact is especially actual if you have clientele visit your home.  If a client is injured while involved in a business-related transaction or activity, homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may not cover the injury. Here are some other things to consider when deciding if you need a business insurance policy:

• If you execute business transactions with customers at your home, such as bookkeeping or tutoring, which may require additional specialized liability coverage
• If you plan to keep at least $5,000 of business property in your home.
• If you depend on income from your small home business to support your family.

There are a few other things to consider when deciding what insurance options for your small home business.  Factors such as being zoned for business, licenses, permits, vehicles used for your business, and taxes must be investigated. Your agent can help you to wade through all of the regulations and help you to determine what is the best way to protect your small home business.

If you have any questions about protecting your small home business, contact us via email or at (863) 646-LOCK.

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Renter’s Insurance is a Smart Choice for Renters and Landlords

What is Renter’s Insurance?

Renters insurance is a type of insurance that covers your personal property in a rental residence. It repays tenants for lost, stolen, or destroyed belongings. Renter’s insurance also covers vandalism, fire, and natural disasters. Most policies don’t cover flooding or water damage from a burst pipe. I

n the second scenario, the rental property would pay for the damage. Renter’s insurance differs from a Renter Dwelling Policy, which covers the physical structure; renters insurance covers the tenant’s belongings (and liability) inside.

It’s not hard for tenants to purchase renters insurance, and it usually costs about $12 a month for most rental units depending on the scope of what the policy covers.

How Does Renter’s Insurance Work?

For Renter’s

Renter’s insurance is the only way tenants are guaranteed to be compensated for lost, stolen, or damaged possessions.

If you have a guest at your rental residence, they are injured on the property. You could be held responsible even if it’s not your fault that the guest was damaged. Renters insurance will shield you from liability for the injury and its subsequent medical cost.

Another reason to have renter’s insurance is that it will cover your personal property, even if it may be in the rental property. The policy could include having something stolen from your car or losing a suitcase on vacation.  Depending on the coverage, some renter’s insurance policies will cover damage to other’s property, such as bumping into a crystal vase and breaking it or your child knocking over a glassware display at a department store.

For Landlords

By requiring your tenants to carry renters insurance, you protect yourself or your company from liability. If someone gets injured in your tenant’s rental residence, you could be sued for medical costs, even if you are not responsible. Renters’ insurance would pay for someone’s injury in a rental home and reduce the chance of a lawsuit from the injured party.

Requiring renter’s insurance means allowing tenants to have pets. Most renter insurance policies cover damage from pets to a specific size. It would not cover someone having a pet like a donkey in their apartment.

Requiring your tenants to have renter’s insurance would also cover relocation costs in a fire or natural disaster. This benefit would keep your company from having to cover the costs of a hotel. It may be that you or your company want the best for the tenants and want them to be protected, even if it’s not your responsibility.

Whether you are a tenant or a landlord-owning renters’ insurance can give you peace of mind that your possessions or rental property are covered.  On both sides of the renter’s insurance policy, the cost of lawsuits can be reduced or covered altogether. Regarding rental properties having renter’s insurance is the smart choice.

If you have questions about Renter’s Insurance or Rental Dwelling Policies, contact us at (863) 646-LOCK.

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What You Should Know Before You Buy a Fixer Upper

In the Lakeland and Plant City areas, many homes have crossed the century mark. These beautiful old southern homes can be enticing, but restoring them can have hidden costs. Several factors should be considered before taking on a fixer-upper; do-it-yourself, or contracted home renovation.

Is it Right for You?

A lower-priced listing on a two-story Victorian home can be tempting. Restoring a fixer-upper and increasing its value is an excellent way to increase your net worth. But do you know what’s involved? Renovating a home takes time, effort, and capital. The size of a renovation will dictate how long it takes; a fixer-upper can take up to a year to finish. As the home is worked on, there will be hammers hammering, saws cutting, voices shouting, and footsteps on the roof.

If this sounds like too much of a disruption for your family, you should avoid taking on the project. However, if you can take the bang and clatter of renovation, it can be rewarding both personally and financially.

Searching for a Home to Renovate

Where to Buy

The saying “location, location, location” carries just as much weight now as it did a century ago. You want to find a fixer-upper to restore in an area where real estate prices are upswing, not the opposite. Factors like crime rates, school ratings, and undesirable things like liquor stores or strip clubs should all be considered before deciding.

Timeworn or Trashed?

The condition of the home you are going to purchase makes a difference in the success of its renovation. It is weathered and only needs a coat of paint and new shingles. Did termites ravage it? Did squatters use it as a drug den before it was put up for sale?

The difference between cosmetic repairs and replacing 70% of the structure can mean thousands of dollars more. Electric wiring should be considered the cost if the home is over 50 years old. Fuse boxes and old wiring can’t handle the load that today’s electronics and appliances put on them and will have to be replaced.

Floor Plans

Do you want a 19th or 20th-century floorplan in the 21st century? Do you like the charm of a room centered around a fireplace, or do you like wide-open areas where a high-definition TV is the center of attention? If the latter is the case, support walls in an older home may not be able to be knocked out for expansion.  Air conditioning may not flow well in a house that was never intended to have it. Ensure the layout gives you enough square footage for your family to live comfortably. Lifestyle is a significant point to consider when deciding to live in a home that has existed since the Civil War.

The Cost of Renovation

Before restoring an old home, you should create a realistic budget.  Make sure there are allocations for the cost of unforeseen issues. This will save you from going over budget.  Here are a few of the things to consider in your budget:

• Replacing the roof.
• Patching and painting walls.
• Refinishing or replacing old flooring.
• Repairing foundations.
• Putting in tile or removing the carpet.
• Installing new plumbing or sewer lines.
• Replacing light fixtures and switches.
• Replacing doors.
• Fixing or replacing air conditioning.
• Painting the exterior of the home.
• Replacement windows.
• Repairing or replacing the bathroom.

Remember to shop for the best financing on your home or seek a Federal Housing Administration 203k loan which lets borrowers purchase a property and finance the renovation cost. Once you have received funding, don’t gold-plate your renovation project. Don’t add a new wing or an addition that will put you over budget and ruin the aesthetics of a home.

Saving a piece of history by renovating a home can be a rewarding experience; just be sure it is an experience you are prepared to have.

If you have any questions about Homeowners Insurance regarding older homes, contact us via email or at (863) 646-LOCK.

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Preventing Slip and Fall Incidents at Your Home or Business

We may not get much ice in Central Florida, but many other potential hazards can cause someone to slip and fall at your house or your office. Central Florida also has a large elderly population who are all potential fall victims. Steps must be taken to keep them from falling. Prevention is the key to eliminating slip and fall hazards and preventing serious injury from occurring due to negligence. Here are a few ways that you can make both your home or business safe from slip hazards:

Tips for Preventing Slip and Fall Accidents

• If a slippery substance such as oil, grease, or a household cleaner spills at your home or business, it should be cleaned immediately. As you undertake cleanup, ensure adequate signage is used to alert customers, employees, or family that a slip hazard is in the area. 
• Regular inspections and cleaning of high-traffic areas or work areas where oil and grease are used should be made.
• Ensure sufficient lighting is around your home, in parking lots, on sidewalks, walkways, and in stairwells to ensure they are visible. LED lights are best for commercial settings because they light a wider area and deter crime.
• Bunched carpets, loose tiles, and uneven flooring can all cause someone to trip and should be repaired.
• Potholes that are not filled present a hazard where someone could twist or break an ankle or fall and break a bone.
• Water that runs into a parking area can quickly become slippery, and the source of the runoff should be dealt with to prevent any slipping.

Stairs and Ramps

• Handrails are an effective way to prevent the disabled and elderly from falling.  Installed securely in stairways, ramps, halls, and bathrooms, they can help people to have a sense of independence while at the same time eliminating the potential for a fall.
• Broken or loose steps in a stairwell are a recipe for a lawsuit if someone falls due to disrepair.
• Make sure stairwells are lit well and have something that will increase friction, such as carpet or non-slip treads.

Lawn Areas

• Ensure lawn areas are kept mowed to 7 inches or less so that hidden items such as a sprinkler or tree roots are visible.
• Don’t leave old toys, tools, or portable sprinkles on the lawn, so they do not become trip hazards.
• Make sure to keep lawn areas and the exterior of homes free of stinging insects like wasps so that customers or family members are not stung.

Walkways

• Clear your walkways of ladders, tools, or anything else that could be a potential trip hazard.
• Make sure walkways are even and have no large cracks. Repairs should be made if either one of these conditions exists.

What to do if a Slip and Fall Happens on Your Property

• Seek medical attention for the injured party if needed.
• Gather critical information such as the injured party’s name and the time of the day the slip or fall incident occurred. The location of the incident. What happened at the time of the accident (was it the injured party’s fault?) Take pictures of the scene and, if possible, of the injuries sustained by the person who fell.
• If you or someone who experienced the accident must file a claim, contact your insurance company promptly. Follow the insurance company’s instructions to document the claim correctly.
• If a severe injury occurs due to a slip or trip, contacting an attorney may be in your best interest.

All that is needed to stop slip and fall accidents is to care enough to prevent them. If you have any questions about Liability Insurance, contact us via email or at (863) 646-LOCK.

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