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What is an Attractive Nuisance?

Girl by side of swimming pool

When purchasing or renewing your homeowners insurance policy, you may have heard the term “Attractive Nuisance”, and may have even been encouraged to minimize the risk one presents on your own property! But what is an Attractive Nuisance and how do they affect your insurance coverage?

For additional questions about your specific insurance policy and needs, please contact your Local Insurance Agent who will be happy to help!

What is an Attractive Nuisance?

As defined by case law as well as your insurance policy, an Attractive Nuisance is essentially a hazard that may be attractive to others, particularly children. These are things that may cause a child (or sometimes adult) to place themselves in harms way while investigating, exploring, or playing on something that they believe to be safe or innocuous.

Injuries that are the result of an Attractive Nuisance may be determined to be the fault of the property owner and ultimately (provided adequate coverage is available) their Insurance Company. As a result, insurance companies generally require that steps be taken to minimize or reduce the potential hazards that Attractive Nuisances may represent and may even deny coverage if they were not made aware of the Attractive Nuisance that existed on the property.

What is the Attractive Nuisance Doctrine?

The laws outlining the responsibilities that a property owner has to reduce or eliminate Attractive Nuisances are referred to as the Attractive Nuisance Doctrine.

These laws maintain that a property owner can potentially be held responsible for an injury on their property as a result of an Attractive Nuisance whether the injured party was welcome on the property or not.

The Attractive Nuisance Doctrine stipulates that the following criteria must be met for a property owner to be found to be responsible for an injury:

• The property owner possesses knowledge that there is a chance children may trespass onto their property

• An object, structure, or feature on your property has the ability to cause harm or death

• It’s reasonable that the individual or child harmed did not understand the dangers involved

• The cost to repair or otherwise resolve the risks represented by the Attractive Nuisance is small when compared to the risks posed

• The property owner failed to take reasonable action to eliminate the Attractive Nuisance

What are the most common Attractive Nuisances?

Swimming Pool

Swimming Pools – While pools can be great for cooling off on hot days, they can also represent a safety hazard and may be attractive to children and others. Insurance companies will often require fences and appropriate gates be installed to prevent children, pets, and unauthorized persons from getting into the pool area and potentially getting hurt. Fences and gates must be constructed in such a way as to prevent children from gaining entry.

Kids on trampoline

Trampolines – Though your kids will love it, so could other kids in the neighborhood! In order to reduce the chances that someone may get hurt on the trampoline, your insurance company may require that you install a net around your trampoline.

Train Tracks

Railroads / Train Tracks – Children love trains and may not realize the dangers train tracks may present. If they are using your property to get to and explore the train tracks, you may be found liable. A secure fence and gate may also be required to help ensure that the trampoline is not being used when no one is home.

Farm Equipment

Farm Equipment – While this massive equipment may look cool to a kid, it can be extremely dangerous! Whenever possible, it is recommended to keep farm equipment in a barn or storage building whenever not in use.

Playground

Playgrounds – While designed for children to play on them, if unsupervised, they can still get hurt. A child that sees a playground the next yard over will naturally want to check it out, making proper fencing a great idea.

Unfinished Home / Construction Site

Construction Sites – Particularly common while building a home or completing a remodel, construction sites are particularly inviting and dangerous. It’s always recommended to fence off and restrict access to construction sites to the best of your ability.

Well

Wells / Cisterns / Holes – Though not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Attractive Nuisances, children often find wells and other deep holes to be intriguing and unknown. If you no longer use your well (or hole), consider filling it in. If still in use, consider installing a fence or barrier around it.

Abandoned Car

Abandoned Cars – Whether it’s a classic that you plan on restoring or one ready for the junk yard, children will likely see something to explore. You can reduce their ability to do so by locking all of the doors, windows, and trunks, and whenever possible storing it in a garage or barn. If you’re planning on restoring it, you’ll want to keep it out of the elements anyway.

We hope that you found this helpful and that it will allow you to reduce any Attractive Nuisances that may be on your property! As always, if there is anything that we can assist you with, please don’t hesitate to call your local Disaster Blaster!

*This information is provided for informational purposes only. This information is not intended as legal advice.

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