Every year, children fall victim to attractive nuisances. However, these are not nuisances in the traditional sense that many people would think of them as.
Instead, these attractions can lead to serious injuries or even deaths if people do not take proper precautions.
Understanding attractive nuisances
Attractive nuisances are objects or areas on a property that may attract children due to their appealing and intriguing nature. However, these attractions can also pose hidden dangers that children may not fully understand. Common examples include swimming pools, trampolines and items on construction sites.
Children, by their very nature, are curious and adventurous. They may want to explore areas or objects that appear exciting, without fully understanding the potential risks involved. This can lead to accidents such as drowning in a pool or falling from a height on a construction site.
Knowing the legal implications for property owners
Property owners have a legal obligation to take reasonable steps to prevent harm to children. Failure to do so can result in liability for any injuries that occur as a result of the hazard. There are several steps that property owners can take to reduce the risk of accidents involving attractive nuisances. This might mean putting up fences around pools, locking up trampolines or securing construction sites so kids cannot get in.
Attractive nuisances usually appear fun and interesting to children but ordinary to adults. Eliminating what dangerous elements attract children to a property requires effort. Property owners need to account for what children see and want to play with when these young ones venture onto their property.