We hope we’re not coming across as a broken record by saying this, but it’s probably worth repeating:
While coverage options like cottage insurance acts as a valuable safety net, prevention should always be your first and primary line of defense when dealing with loss and risk.
Let’s talk about the most common threats to your Ontario cottage and what cottage owners can do to help minimize their risks.
REDUCE FIRE RISK AT YOUR COTTAGE
Fire is one of the primary risks to all types of buildings and property.
Certainly not unique to cottages, but fire can sometimes be an increased risk to remote buildings where fire trucks have a more difficult time reaching.
This is especially true when you factor in the threat of wildfires, something that Ontario is far from immune to.
HOW TO REDUCE YOUR FIRE RISK AT THE COTTAGE:
- Store fuel and wood at least 10 meters from your cottage. This includes BBQs.
- Keep your gutters and roof clear of dry pine needles and leaves.
- Don’t smoke in or near the cottage.
- Just like at home, keep a fire extinguisher handy and smoke detectors in working order.
- Maintain all appliances. Unplug at the close of the season.
- Empty your toilets (turn off the supply then flush)
- Winterize any appliances that use water (e.g. fridges that dispense ice and water, dish washer etc.,)
- Pour a cup of antifreeze into each drain to prevent any collected water that may have been missed from freezing
- Limit shelter on your property (keep grass short, keep wood piles stacked and organized)
- Eliminate sources of food (don’t leave anything lying around outside your cottage and keep everything locked up and sealed tight indoors)
- Keep them out of your cottage (seal holes and cracks, keep doors and windows locked up when not in use, place gravel around the bottom of the building to discourage digging)
- Use trees as windbreaks
- Secure outdoor furniture
- Make sure caulking around windows and doors is in good shape
- Make sure all eavestroughs and downspouts are clear
- Cover all windows. This is extra true for those cottages near the water where the winds can be especially severe off the lake.
- Clean and secure your boat. Never leave your boat in the water over the winter!
AVOID BUSTED PIPES IN YOUR COTTAGE DURING THE WINTER
Frozen and busted pipes is an all too common occurrence for us here in Ontario who are known to deal with some harsh winter months.
There is an extra level of threat for cottages that aren’t occupied in the winter.
So before you close up for the season make sure to turn off the water supply and drain your pipes so there is no water left in the system that could freeze while the cottage is not in use during the winter.
A few extra tips:
It’s always a good idea to have both an opening and closing checklist when it comes to your cottage so you don’t forget anything. It also makes the job easier!
PREVENT BRANCHES AND TREES FROM FALLING ON YOUR COTTAGE
What’s the great outdoors without plenty of mature and majestic trees?
They’re beautiful to be around, can be functional for the right use and crucial to life on earth but if they’re hanging over your cottage it may be time for some selective trimming or even tree removal.
While your insurance will likely cover fallen trees or branches, no one wants to deal with the destruction caused by one falling onto your cottage (not to mention the risks to your physical health!)
Be mindful of large branches hanging over your property and tall nearby trees big enough to impact your cottage if they were to fall.
The good people at TreeDoctors.ca help show us how to identify a dead or dying tree, which is valuable to know since these are often the biggest threat since they’re the easiest for a strong wind to knock over or down.
PROTECT YOUR COTTAGE FROM WILDLIFE
Fascinating. Cute. Entertaining.
These are words many use to describe the abundant wildlife we’re lucky to have here in Ontario.
However other words that can be used to describe Ontario wildlife that can sometimes be equally accurate:
Pesky. Dangerous. Destructive.
Near by hungry or curious wildlife can be a significant threat to not only your physical well being but also that of your cottage.
Deer, raccoons, coyotes, moose, bears have all been known to cause damage to cottage in Ontario. Whether it’s torn screen, broken window or a full on ransacking of your cottages interior, no one likes THIS type of close encounter with wildlife.
There are some ways you can reduce the chances of a critter causing trouble on your property:
Ontario.ca offers more good suggestions on how to prevent and manage conflicts with small animals.
GUARD YOUR COTTAGE AGAINST WIND AND FLOOD
When it comes to protecting your property from natural elements like wind and flood, much of what works at home will help at the cottage:
However there are a couple important winterizing tasks you can do at the cottage to protect yourself:
If you own a cottage in Ontario you should absolutely have cottage insurance, but if you spend a little extra time reducing your risks, there’s a good chance you’ll never have to use it!
Erie Mutual Insurance proudly serves the commercial insurance, farm insurance, home insurance and auto insurance needs of members throughout Southern Ontario including Haldimand, Niagara and Hamilton.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have about this or any other topic related to your insurance.
