News

Summer Cottage Safety Tips from REMO

Details: Published: Wednesday, 10 August 2022 13:52

Summer Cottage by the lake The Lunenburg Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO) is urging residents to ensure they add safety preparations into their cottage opening plans.

Wintertime can cause unsafe conditions at cottages. The first thing you should do when reopening is check and change batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and check all chimneys. Doing these things will ensure a safe and fun summer for all cottage and cabin owners.

Other important reopening safety tips:

Have smoke detectors on every story and outside of all sleeping areas in cottages, cabins, and homes.
Install carbon monoxide detectors outside of all sleeping areas if your cottage, cabin, or home has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage.
Create and practice an escape plan to ensure all those in your cottage or home know what to do if either detector alarms sound.
Clean and check barbecues before use and keep lighters, and matches out of sight, and reach of children.
Inspect all heating appliances and chimneys before use.
Always check the Burn Ban Stats at Check before you burrn to verify if open-air burning is permitted before having a campfire or burning brush.
If open burning is permitted, fires should be built on bare soil or on exposed rock.
Clean brush and leaves from around structures to reduce the risk of ignition from flying embers.
Never leave a fire unsupervised and ensure you have a bucket of water or sand along with a shovel close by.
When putting out a fire, it is important to ensure it is completely out - soak it, stir it, and then soak it again.
If burning candles, make sure they are in sturdy, class shade-covered candleholders that are not at risk of tipping over and always check to see if they are blown out before leaving.
If you are drinking, do so responsibly and do not operate heavy machinery or vehicles.