Each year, as summer comes to an end, most Florida children are heading back to school. However, there will likely be some younger ones who are recovering from injuries suffered on the premises of negligent property owners. Attractive nuisance claims make up many of these premises liability lawsuits.
Common attractive nuisances
Property owners must take steps to prevent young children from being injured by anything that entices the kids onto their properties to explore. Examples of attractive nuisances include:
- Swimming pools
- Trampolines
- Hot tubs
- Swing sets
- Fountains
- Fire pits
- Playground equipment
- Treehouses
Other objects that could attract children include grills, lawn equipment, landscaping, construction equipment, old cars and more.
Precautions to prevent harm to curious children
Children are naturally curious, and they love exploring. With that in mind, property owners can take the following precautions:
- Assess everything on the property to identify and address anything that could injure children.
- Keep property free of unused items and avoid leaving dangerous debris or tools behind after completing a project.
- Ensure dangerous items like weapons and mechanical equipment are stored away securely.
- Pull vehicles into a shed or garage, and cover grills, fire pits, hot tubs and swimming pools.
- If the property owner cannot put attractive objects out of sight of curious eyes, they can install a secure fence with a gate and lock.
- A “No Trespassing” sign might help, though a court might determine that an injured child could not read yet.
- Never leave children unsupervised when they play in the vicinity of dangerous features, objects or items.
Florida property owners who do not take steps to minimize injury risks related to attractive nuisances might find themselves facing premises liability lawsuits if children suffered injuries on their properties.