Rey Insurance

Westchester County and much of the New York tri-state area are known for their suburban landscapes, where homes of every description can be found. Home ownership offers many benefits, giving you and your family a sense of stability and security. Home ownership also comes with certain responsibilities — to keep your property safe for anyone who might venture onto it.

Mail carriers, neighborhood kids, friends, vendors, passersby – any one of a number of people come on to your property for different reasons. Should an accident occur, an injury may ensue and quite possibly, a lawsuit as well. Protect yourself against this scenario by taking preventative steps to reduce the risk of accidents happening.

The first step is to know the areas that present the highest hazard, so that you can get the proper insurance coverage. These include walkways, stairwells and swimming pools. Assessing, preparing, and repairing these areas on a regular basis can help mitigate potential liability.

Tips that will help keep your property safe from accidents:

Walkways

• Keep walkways free of any clutter, spills, or objects
• Routinely check for sidewalk cracks, uneven surfaces, or leaking rain gutters that empty onto the area. Make any necessary repairs right away.
• Make sure that the walkway is well lit in every area so that all walking paths are clearly visible, even at night.
• Improve the surface of highly trafficked areas to make them slip resistant. This could mean putting down rugs, non-slip mats, or even coating the walkway with a slip-resistant coating.
• Keep your dog leashed to avoid it biting, attacking or unsteadying your visitor
• Shovel your pathways after a snowstorm

Staircases

• Have a sturdy handrail on one or both sides of the stairs, made of material that is easy to grip. Any existing or newly installed handrails should be firmly secure and not loose.
• Make the landing at the bottom and the top of the stairs slip-resistant by adding no-slip mats, carpeting (if they’re indoors) or coating with a non-slip coating.
• Be sure there is plenty of lighting to illuminate the steps.
• Remove any clutter from the steps and the landings.
• Routinely check the stairwell for spills, hazards, and anything that can facilitate tripping and falling.

Swimming Pools

• In New York State as in many states, any outdoor residential swimming pool must have a barrier or fence that will completely surround the pool and prevent unsupervised access.
• Install self-closing gates and childproof locks.
• Remove anything around your fences and gates that could easily be used to assist someone in climbing over.
• Keep your pool deck and surrounding areas clear of clutter.
• Lock up any pool chemicals to prevent accidental poisoning. Most chemicals used in pools are extremely toxic and can be deadly.

Rey Insurance:

Despite your best efforts, accidents can happen. That’s where personal liability insurance can help. Typically a component of your homeowners insurance policy, it acts as a safety net to help you avoid paying out of pocket should an accident occur on your property. The independent agents at Rey Insurance are experts homeowners insurance and will help you choose the limits for your liability coverage. Find out more by visiting reyinsurance.com or call 914-631-7628.