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| All of us at the Law Office of Keith Taylor wish you a safe and fun Halloween! |
At Halloween time children parade around in adorable
costumes and delight at the drop of a piece of candy into their bucket. Families carve jack-o-lanterns and decorate
their homes and lawns with spider webs, animated skeletons and flashing lights. Unfortunately, a fun- filled night can quickly turn into a
dreaded emergency room visit when a child is hurt because he trips over the
cord to the lighted yard decorations, or because of a fall caused by an uneven
concrete slab on the driveway.
Homeowners have a responsibility to provide safe conditions
for those who come onto their property.
If a person slips, trips, or falls as a result of a dangerous or
hazardous condition, the property owner may be held fully responsible.
By turning on your outdoor lights, you are inviting
trick-or-treaters onto your property.
Ensure their safety by following some simple suggestions:
- · Remove tripping hazards from your lawn, steps and driveway
- · Halloween decorations should not block walkways
- · Walkways, driveways and stairs leading to your door should be well-lit
- · Keep pets confined
- · Avoid any open flames or unattended jack-o-lanterns
If you don't want trick-or-treaters, turn your outdoor
lights off. However, don’t assume every
child will follow the “no lights policy.”
Be proactive and remove any hazards from your property anyway. Under Florida law, you may be liable for
injuries to children who come onto your property uninvited as well. Conscientious property owners will help
prevent a fun Halloween tradition from turning into a nightmare.
As a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, Keith Taylor
understands every nuance of the law when it comes to property liability
injuries in Florida. If you have any
questions about an injury you or someone in your family has sustained due to
the negligence of a property owner, please call our office to schedule a free
consultation.
