You go to your cabin to get away from everyday life and to spend time with the people you love. So, keeping it (and the people in it) as safe as possible is a top priority. Follow these cabin safety tips to keep your second home and all the activities that go with it hazard-free.
Home safety.
When you’re not outside enjoying nature, follow these tips to stay safe and cozy inside your cabin:
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If you’ve been away from your cabin for a while, test them to make sure they’re still working. Learn how to choose the right detectors for your cabin.
- Stock an emergency kit in case of power outages or natural disasters. Here’s what to put in your emergency kit.
- Consider installing a security system or using smart home technology to monitor your vacation home remotely.
- When you’re away from the cabin, use timers for your lights to make the home appear occupied. This deters possible intruders.
Dock safety.
Here’s how to enjoy your dock without taking a dive:
- Establish a strict “no running” rule on your dock to avoid falls.
- Make sure your dock and any walkways leading to it are welllit.
- Install dock handrails for those who need extra support.
- Keep a dock box stocked with extra life jackets and life rings in case anyone takes an unplanned dip.
- Regularly check ropes and tow lines; replace frayed or damaged ones.
Bonfire safety.
What’s cabin life without a bonfire and s’mores? Keep flames fun and festive by following these precautions:
- Check the weather report. If strong winds are predicted, or if there’s a fire advisory for your area, postpone your bonfire to another day.
- Keep kids, pets, and any flammable items (like wooden chairs) at least three feet away from the fire.
- Don’t throw anything into the fire; embers could rise out of the flames and cause burns.
- Keep a water hose, a bucket of water, a bucket of sand and/or a fire extinguisher on hand to put out unwanted flames.
- Make sure someone has a phone to call 911 in case of a fire emergency.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- When the festivities are over, extinguish the fire safely and completely. Watch this video from Smokey the Bear to learn how.
Boating safety.
Maybe if the castaways on that old sitcom had taken a few boating safety precautions (like checking the weather forecast), they wouldn’t have been stuck on that island for 15 years. Learn from their mistakes and brush up on boating safety with our blog, 7 Boating Safety Tips for Smooth Sailing This Summer.
Kayaking and canoeing safety.
Prepare for safe paddling with these tips:
- Always wear a life vest.
- Don’t go it alone; paddle with a buddy. Even the most experienced paddler can run into trouble sometimes.
- Never lose sight of the shoreline.
- If you’re inexperienced, consider taking a class before venturing out.
Follow these tips to store your equipment safely:
- Store kayaks and canoes out of the sun; ultraviolet rays can degrade almost any type of hull material (except aluminum).
- Store your canoe upside down, so the gunwales support its weight.
- Store kayaks standing on one end, on their side, or upside down.
It’s always a little sad to leave your cabin behind. But you can feel better about it when you know it’s protected. Patriot Insurance Company offers Dwelling Fire Insurance to safeguard your second home from fire and other dangers.
This content was developed for general informational purposes only. While we strive to keep the information relevant and up to date, we make no guarantees or warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information, products, services, or graphics contained within the blog. The blog content is not intended to serve as professional or expert advice for your insurance needs. Contact your local, independent insurance agent for coverage advice and policy services.