A holiday party is supposed to be filled with good cheer and happy things, but all it can take to completely change the experience is one person getting injured on your property. Even if the person is a relative or close friend, they could easily file a personal injury claim if they are not compensated for their medical bills, lost wages, or even pain and suffering. To avoid the potential for such an issue to come up at your holiday party, there are a few things you should do as a homeowner to protect yourself and your guests in the process.
Make sure your property is well lit.
You may be tempted to turn the lights down low so your twinkling lights and seasonal decor truly shine in the darkness, but this is not a good idea if you have a houseful of people. If your guests cannot see where they're going as they go from room to room or even try to make their way to and from their vehicles, there is a higher likelihood that they could trip and fall. The bad thing is, if a guests trips and falls because of unsafe lighting conditions, you could appear even more at fault for their injuries.
Keep guests restricted to certain areas of the house.
The average home has a lot of rooms and space for an accident to occur. The last thing you want is everyone roaming freely around your property where you will not be able to keep a close watch to prevent accidents. While you probably will not have to be worried about adults traipsing all over the house, their children just might, and even if one of these little ones gets hurt, you could be deemed responsible. Before guests start to arrive, lock rooms that are off limits and make it clear to guests where they can and cannot go. If there is an upper level of your home where there will be no reason for guests to be, simply block off the stairs with a safety gate.
Make alternative arrangements for household pets.
Even the most docile kitty or friendly pooch can be unnerved by strange people roaming through their territory, and a bite or scratch could lead to a personal injury claim filed by a guest. Make sure you make arrangements for your pets to be out of the party area before guests show up. Whether you lock your pets in a certain room with food and water or arrange for a pet sitter for the night, this will help ensure nothing happens.
For more information, talk to a professional like Randall A. Wolff & Associates, Ltd.
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