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Insurance
Enjoying Fire Safety at the Cottage
It's a beautiful day at the cottage; The birds are chirping, the waters are calm, the sun is shining and a slight breeze sails through the air. Yet, with the falling sun comes the chill of night, signalling a time for marshmallows around the campfire.
No one wants to think of potential problems in this situation, yet fire safety is of utmost importance for Ontario cottagers. You want your time at the cottage to be filled with fun and memorable moments - not the kind that keep you up at night.
Depending on where your cottage is situated, it could take a great deal of time for emergency vehicles to arrive, should a fire start. Thus, prevention is of utmost importance in ensuring the well-being of you, your family and your property.
What Do I Need?
Without a doubt, the two most important items you need to purchase for the inside of your cottage are a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector. If you have a multi-level cottage, make sure you install one on every floor of your cottage and especially in the bedrooms. Detector lifespans range from five to ten years, so you'll want to note the date on which they were installed so that you can be sure to change the batteries or replace the units periodically.
The other necessity for any remote area is a fire extinguisher. Keep one in the kitchen and at least one other in an easily accessible area of the cottage so that you can get to it in case of emergency. If you frequently have campfires, make sure that the task of finding your fire extinguisher doesn't become an exercise in futility by keeping it in a location known to all. Keep in mind that fire extinguishers do need to be recharged; so having an older model that's been used repeatedly will likely not help you out in your time of need.
If you have portable space heaters within your cottage, you'll want to be sure that you keep them at least a metre away from any flammable objects. Be especially careful if you have children or pets, as they may accidentally bump into them and knock them over, increasing the potential for a fire. If you use kerosene heaters, you should exercise extra caution and be sure that you only fill them outside, after they cool down.
The Safety Kit
At all times (but especially with children around), be sure that you have a first-aid kit on-hand and access to additional safety materials. Candles and waterproof matches are also an absolute necessity, as is a flashlight and a spare set of batteries. In case of power outages, be sure to have a large metal kettle on-hand, as this can be heated over an open flame to provide drinking water. Dry snacks are also highly recommended, but be sure that they are stored in a rodent and animal-proof container.
The Campfire
Campfires are wonderful and provide memorable experiences for children and adults alike. However, they are also a safety risk and you need to exercise caution when building your fire. First, be sure that you follow local wood-burning regulations and are aware of fire bans in your area, when they are in effect. Keep the fire small and be sure to keep it away from other flammable materials. The only materials that should be near the fire are your friends and family, the products you are consuming (whether marshmallows or pop) and materials to help put out the fire when done (water and other firefighting tools).
The most frequent mistake made by cottagers with respect to campfires is a perception that the fire will either take care of itself or go out on its own. Attend to the campfire at all times and never leave a burning flame in isolation. A single spark landing on a dry twig can ignite a larger fire that can spiral out of control before you return. If the night comes to an end, be sure to put the fire out before you fall asleep, as the burning coals underneath the wood can still pose a hazard.
Make Sure You're Insured
Taking the necessary precautions will help protect you in case of an accident, but no one can foresee all of the possible risks associated with owning a cottage. Extenuating circumstances do arise and, especially in remote areas, attending to the problem may require a great deal of time.
Protect your family and your investment with a cottage insurance policy by calling 1-888-285-6428 to find out more.
