Safety tips for cottage activities

Prevention is always preferable to cure. Heeding some classic tips will keep you and those you love free to enjoy your time at the cottage for many years to come.

This page is about recreational safety; the cottage safety page has information about keeping the cottage itself safe for you, your family, and guests.

Water safety

One thing that should be obvious by now, but that still gets ignored every year, is water and alcohol does not mix. It doesn't matter if it's swimming, water-skiing, or boating, do not drink before getting on or into the water.

Another dangerous combination is unattended children and water. Children can get away in the blink of an eye, and they are lured to the sparkle and sound of water. If you have kids visiting make sure that they are not able to get escape attention and head for the waterfront. It only takes a moment for a tragedy to occur.

Canadian waters can be deceptively cold, even into the summer months. Hypothermia, a drop in your core body temperature, can be avoided in part by avoiding prolonged exposure to the cold water. In ten degree (Celsius) water, a person can survive about 2 hours if they are swimming, and up to 4 hours if they are wearing a floatation device and curl themselves into the fetal position (the HELP) or huddled with others.

If you end up in the water, draw your legs up and into your body, and if you are wearing a lifejacket, pull your arms in as well. This will help conserve your body heat by lessening the area exposed to the cold water. The less movement you can make, the better.

Never go swimming alone. Do not overestimate your strength when swimming distances or swimming in currents.

When purchasing a boat, make sure that it has hand bars on the so that anyone who is in the water can hold on. If the boat capsizes, get as much of your body out of the water as possible. Make it a practice never to overload the boat, or rock it unnecessarily, even as a joke. Avoid making sudden stops. Check the weather conditions before you go out; 50% of boating-related drowning happen as a result of choppy water or inclement weather.

What you should have in the boat:

• Life Jackets - enough for everyone on board
• A paddle
• Something to bail with
• A basic first aid kit
• An exposure blanket
• A sharp knife in a protective case (can be used to detangle anything from the propeller)
• A whistle or other means of signalling via sound
• Flares or a flashlight (if it is night)
• Waterproof matches (in case you get stranded)

Hot tubs

Most of the tips that cover swimming apply to hot tubs. Always have a buddy present, never leave children unsupervised in a hot tub, or near an open one, and children should not be in tubs greater than 36C. It should go without saying that a hot tub is not a good place for horsing around, and holding someone under the water is not funny.

Make sure long hair is pinned up or under a cap. It can get sucked into drains and cause injury or drowning. If you are pregnant or have a medical condition, get the OK from your doctor before soaking. People with open wounds should not be immersing the injury in the water.

Drink cool liquids to avoid dehydration.

Barbecuing

Used properly, barbecues are a wonderful way to create a pleasant dining experience. Here are a few tips to keep it fun and safe.

• Make sure the barbecue is protected from wind gusts, away from anything flammable or low hanging, and settled on a level surface.
• Never use gasoline or other fuel on coals. Use a proper CSA-approved lighter fluid or accelerant. Do not put it on hot coals as it could flare up and ignite the container.
• Wait a moment between applying the lighter fluid and lighting the coals to let the vapours subside.
• Propane BBQs should be checked regularly for leaks, blockages, and loose connections.
• Open the lid before starting a gas BBQ
• Avoid loose clothing and long hair should be tied back.
• Keep children away from the barbecue.
• Keep a bucket of water close by in case of problems.
• When you are finished, make sure the propane tank is shut off until the next time.