Protect yourself this Winter

By Carol Dillon

As winter drags on, here are a few helpful reminders for homeowners and business owners to avoid pesky slip and fall lawsuits. First and foremost, be reasonable. If you are having people over to your home, or you know someone will be on your property, for instance a Realtor, Meter person, etc., shovel your driveway and walkways and put down ice melt. You don’t have to get every scrap of snow and ice, but make a reasonable effort to make it safe for people. Also, if you are piling up snow when shoveling, don’t pile it so high or in areas that might block driver’s views, including your own. When you are driving, expect people to do the dumb thing. While you might be driving safely and cautiously because of snow and ice, expect others not to. Take extra time and room to put on your brakes and feel free to go slow.