Slip and falls are one of the leading causes of injury during the winter months. Injuries caused by snow and ice harm thousands of people and cause millions of dollars in damages every year.

As a property owner, you have a responsibility to make sure your property is as safe as possible for others, if not you are putting yourself at risk of being held liable for any injuries sustained as a result of a slip and fall.

Preventative maintenance, especially during the winter season, is always your best bet. So here are some places around your home to check throughout the winter to prevent accidents…

• Make sure to check gutters and drains for pooling water or leaks that may freeze during a winter storm. Remove any debris from your gutters before winter arrives, including fall leaves.
• Regularly inspect your property to keep an eye out for hidden hazards that you might have previously been unaware of.
• Make sure you have adequate snow removal tools available for when winter weather hits. A good snow-shovel or snow blower is imperative, as well as rock salt that will melt any remaining ice.
• Don’t wait too long to shovel snow or ice off of your walkways. It’s important to be proactive in maintaining your property. If you wait too long before shoveling ice may accumulate, making it much more difficult to clear later. If know a winter storm is expected, salt your walkways and driveways before the bad weather hits.
• Make sure that any puddles near your doors from melted snow and ice are cleaned up immediately. Even in your home, you may still be held liable for slip and fall injuries that occur as a result of walking hazards. If you are expecting multiple guests, check for puddles around the front door regularly.

If you follow these simple safety tips, you will help reduce your riskof a slip and fall lawsuit.

This safety post brought to you by the personal injury lawyers at Cariati Law in Toronto Canada.