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Summer Safety at the Lake Cottage
By: Amy Goodmann

Getting the most of cottage life and ensuring your summer is full of happy memories also means exercising a few basic safety precautions. Regular maintenance is common practice for most cottage-owners, so it’s important to be mindful of potential hazards.

-For example, if you’re inspecting your roof for loose shingles, antennas and bricks around the chimney, or clearing out leaves from your eaves trough, always be aware of any power lines close by and be careful not to be in contact with them.

- It is also a good idea to give cords on lamps and appliances a close inspection, and replace any that may have been damaged by four legged visitors.

- If you plan on putting up a flagpole, or if you are installing a TV antenna or satellite dish, check for power lines in the area first. An antenna should always be installed far enough from a power line so that it cannot fall across it.

- And if you have something bigger in mind that requires electrical wiring remember that wiring requires specific knowledge, training and experience call a qualified electrician. It is also a must to call your local electric utility to “Call before You Dig.”

- Later in the season, make sure to check the condition of weather-stripping and caulking around windows and doors. You will be glad on chilly nights later in the season.

You can never be too careful when it comes to safety. Remember you are not a hop skip and a jump to the nearby fire station and well trained firefighters or medical emergency staff. Any events can lead to great loss of property and perhaps even injury of even loss of life.

Anticipate, anticipate and plan for safety. Look ahead to potential problems. Watch your kids and pets. Are there nearby roads that children or pets can easily access? Can the access to the water itself be made safer? Are latches on gates fitting firmly? Are there locks available?

Do you have enough life preservers for boating for all? Are the kids trained in swimming skills as well as life saving skills and CPR?

When the work is all over why not have a bonfire with hot dogsand hamburgers with all the fixings.