Washington Insurance Council

                  Consumer Alert

Contact: Karl Newman, Executive Director      
Release Date: 6/22/2000

Washington Insurance Council    
Phone: (206) 624-3330
Fax: (206) 624-1975
karl.newman@wa-ic.org

INSURERS SAY KEEP CLEAN-UP SAFE

Seattle – After a long winter, Puget Sound kids are anxious to play outside.  Adults are, too, right?  But according to local insurance agents, too many people get in the “swing” of it without the appropriate focus on safety.

Randy Mc Donald, of Mc Donald Insurance in Everett, says that household claims increase when the precious Pacific Northwest sun-filled days kick in.  “Over the years, it’s clear to me that people are so ready to enjoy our temperate spring and summer that they are ignoring simple things that could prevent injury and property loss.” 

Karl Newman, executive director of the Washington Insurance Council (WIC) agrees.  “Spring fever shouldn’t be the reason for a trip to the hospital or an unplanned visit from your insurance adjustor.  A healthy dose of caution – knowing what to do and what to avoid – will ensure that your enthusiasm and hard work is 100% productive.” 

WIC’s mission is to present the facts about how insurance works and to suggest ways for consumers to prevent losses.  WIC provides the following list of things to keep in mind amid the Spring fever. 

1.      Be sure yard tools are picked up when not in use – a rake left in a yard can be a cause for sudden injury if someone steps on it.

2.      Be sure the grass is cut so that hazards are visible – for example, is there an unfenced drop-off in the yard that could cause someone to turn an ankle or trip and fall?

3.      Are the outdoor toys and furniture in disrepair?  If so, repair or replace them. 

4.      Be sure that fertilizers, weed and bug killers, plant seeds and car wash chemicals are kept in their proper place.

5.      Over the winter, decks, steps and walkways can deteriorate, so be sure there is no rot on wood decking, and no holes, loose boards or nails that could cause injury.

6.      Make sure that outdoor areas dry properly so that they do not become slippery.  A non-skid treatment on steps, for example, can greatly limit slippery conditions on wood surfaces.

7.      Dog bite cases increase in spring when dogs are outside more frequently.  Be sure that pets are properly kept away from neighbors, particularly kids who are running through yards while playing.  Careful attention to this can prevent injury and insurance and legal problems.

With summer barbecues on the horizon, many people will have guests who are unfamiliar with the host’s backyard. 

“Sometimes people are surprised to learn that if they invite or allow someone onto their property, it’s their responsibility to point out hazards,.” Mc Donald said.  “If they don’t, they may be liable for injuries caused by those hazards.

Mc Donald cited an example where one of his clients allowed their friend’s child to play in their backyard.  The grass was rather long and, while running through the grass, the child stepped on a metal rake lying in the yard.  The rake punctured completely through the child’s foot.  “Our insured was liable for the injuries to the visiting child,” McDonald said.

Mc Donald insists that common sense and some attention to detail can keep the Pacific Northwest spring and summer blissfully enjoyable.  For more information about these types of coverage issues, Mc Donald suggests that people contact their insurance agent. 

Washington Insurance Council was established in 1968 as a non-profit consumer education and information organization funded by member insurance companies.

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