If you have a junk car sitting in your yard waiting to be towed, or even a swimming pool without fencing, you may be held liable for housing an attractive nuisance. Below is a brief guide to understanding the attractive nuisance law and common examples that can leave you open to liability. 

What Are Attractive Nuisances?

An attractive nuisance is anything on your property that could entice children and potentially cause them harm. Generally, homeowners are not held liable for any injuries on their property.

However, the attractive nuisance law predicates off of the premises liability, which states that even if the child trespasses onto your property, you can be held liable for any injuries because you did not take the necessary measures of precaution with the object.

A child is also not expected to act with as much responsibility as an adult. For example, adults who choose to jump the fence and swim in their neighbor’s pool know they should not. A child may not act with such intentional disregard for the law.

Common Liabilities

Abandoned Cars

An abandoned or old car left on your property can pique the curiosity of little ones. While they may only want to play around it, they may accidentally cause the junk car to roll, putting themselves in danger. There also might be sharp or rusty parts sticking out. 

Discarded Appliances

You may no longer need your refrigerator and decide to leave it in the backyard, but children could see it as an opportune hiding place for hide-and-seek. Instead of an old, rusty refrigerator, they see a new spaceship, playhouse, or sailboat.

 However, the fridge door can swing shut and lock them in or do other harm if it falls over. While newer refrigerators do have the capacity to open from the inside, a child may not know how or have enough strength to open the appliance.

Swimming Pools

Neglecting to install a fence or security system around the pool is a common liability for homeowners. A young child may peak into your yard and want to try out the diving board or slide, forgetting they do not yet know how to swim without floaties or parental support. 

Jungle Gyms

You may have purchased a jungle gym for your own children to play on. But, the neighboring kids may see it and scramble over to your yard without you knowing in order to play with the new equipment. While meant for kids’ enjoyment, playsets can pose a danger to children if adults are not present.

If you have a junk car that has been sitting on your property, contact Rudy's Towing & Auto Salvage in Philadelphia, PA. The salvage yard staff can come to you for free and pick up your vehicle. They also offer cash for junk cars, construction equipment, forklifts, trailers, trucks, and vans. Call (267) 235-9421 to schedule a pick-up or visit their website for an instant quote.