Fire Safety doesn't end when vacation starts! Every time
you head to the cottage, keep these important safety messages in mind:
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Smoke alarm laws apply to cottages as well. There must
be a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside the sleeping areas.
Smoke alarms should be installed in outdoor cabins and bunkies as well.
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Check the smoke alarms each time you visit the cottage.
If the batteries have died in the week you were away you may not have heard
the warning "chirp"
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Install a carbon monoxide detector. Many cottages use
alternative heating sources such as fireplaces and woodstoves.
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Practice the same fire safety principals you practice at
home. Pay attention when cooking, always make sure candles are in
noncombustible holders and are supervised at all times, keep combustible
materials away from furnaces, fireplaces and space heaters, and properly
dispose of smoking materials.
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Develop an escape plan for the cottage. Make sure to
practice it at the beginning of each summer.
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When having guests visit for the first time, point out exits
and any special knowledge needed to open windows or doors.
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Know the local phone number for Emergency Services, not all
Municipalities have 911. Place a sticker on or near the phone with
these numbers.
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Be aware of the address and closest cross streets for where
you are staying. Make sure guests are aware of this too.
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Response times for Emergency Services may be considerably
longer than what you are used to. Plan ahead to keep your family safe
until they arrive.
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Does the area have cell phone coverage? How will you
call for help?
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Keep the area around the cottage clear of brush and debris,
there should be a buffer of at least 20 feet between the cottage and brush
Did you know that smoke alarms are required in hard top trailers
as well? Many of the same fire safety tips for cottages apply for campers
or trailers. Always know how to open any escape windows and be
sure to test your trailers smoke alarms each time you take it out.