Item: Flaxman Law Group
Rating: 5
Author: Clara Barman

Having a summer house in Hollywood, Homestead, or anywhere in South Florida is a wonderful way to enjoy the beaches and sunshine. To really enjoy your time in your second home or vacation property, however, you may want to take safety precautions to keep safe:

Don’t make it clear when you won’t be around: Burglars love summer homes because they have free range while owners are away for months or days. Don’t post on social media when you are going away and stop subscriptions and mail so it does not pile up. Keep up the property when you are not visiting so it does not look empty.
Use tech for safety: Technology can be a great way to keep your vacation home safe. An alarm system lets you know if anyone does break in and smart cameras let you view your property for any issues from any mobile device. Smart lights allow you to turn lights on and off at random intervals so you can disguise when your vacation property is empty. Cameras security is also a good idea, as it allows you to check your property remotely.
Check in often: Check in yourself and have someone stop by. Not only will it create traffic around your second home, but it allows you to determine whether there are any issues, such as wiring problems, which need your attention.
Invest in smoke detectors: You can have smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors attached to your alarm so you are alerted, no matter where you are, if there is a fire or smoke at your property.
Use extra caution if your vacation property has a pool: Many Homestead and Florida premises liability claims occur due to trespassing minors who enter a pool. If you have a pool, make sure you have a self-locking gate and sturdy fence around it. Check the fence and gate often and examine them for any signs of damage or vulnerability. Since you may be away from your second home for days at a time (or longer) it is especially important to invest in an alarm and possibly a camera system so you know the minute any trespasser enters the area.
Think liability before renting short-term: It can be tempting to rent your vacation property to make some extra cash or allow friends and family to stay when you are not there. You may even think it’s safer to have people around when you can’t visit your cottage or vacation property. However, having someone else at your property can expose you to liability claims. If someone damages your property, you may have a hard time recovering compensation. If someone is injured on your property or damages neighboring property, you may have legal issues to contend with. Before renting or allowing anyone else to visit your property, you may want to check your insurance policy and even get legal advice to ensure you are protected.

There are many reasons why you may need a Hollywood premises liability attorney. You may have trouble with your insurance company after someone is injured at your summer property or you may have suffered an injury yourself when visiting someone’s vacation home. In either case, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with an attorney on our team.