Spring Cabin Safety: Boating & Safety Tips for Your Trip to the Lake

Spring Cabin Safety: Boating & Safety Tips for Your Trip to the Lake

The snow has melted (almost everywhere) and the temperatures have started to rise…  Besides thoughts of capris, hats and sunscreen, many families start to think about visiting a lakeside cabin. It’s that time of the year again! With the cabin comes celebrations, boating and BBQ. What sometimes gets forgotten are the accidents that can happen when people don’t follow some simple safety rules Keep in mind these simple safety tips when you’re packing up your floaties and coolers.

Boat Safety Tips
After removing your rock guards and getting the boat unhitched it’s time to get that puppy in the water, right? Wrong! When you’re boating, especially with children, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Never consume alcohol while operating or on a boat.
• Always check the weather before you head out on your pleasure cruise: if you see any sudden changes in weather, wind speed or sky colour, turn back and dock immediately.
• Prepare and complete a preliminary checklist before you head out. You should have: fuel, enough lifejackets for everyone, PFDs, fresh water, an air horn, working lights, the proper fluid levels, flares, and a basic toolbox.
• Always tell someone where you are going and when you will be back before you head out.
• Don’t overload the boat!
• When you are operating your watercraft be sure to: maintain a 50 foot distance from everything (other boats, people, land, docks, etc.), drive at a safe speed, and watch for areas that have low water – have your co-captain keep an eye out for these.

Swimming Safety
Swimming is always one of the highlights of any cabin stay and is a great, healthy activity to get the kids and adults outdoors.  It’s best to make sure that everyone has basic swimming lessons and those too little to have them are in good hands.

·         Swimming vests and arm flotation devices do NOT mean children can remain unsupervised. Kids can still drown while wearing them.

·         Always supervise your kids – don’t leave them for any length of time. It’s actually best to have an adult in the water.

·         Remember people can still drown in crowds too so stay alert and be aware of how many people are with you.

·         Look in the lake BEFORE you jump in – you’ll have to be careful of shallow areas, debris, etc.

·         Don’t swim out too far and be mindful sudden drops in the lakebed.

Campfire Safety
Smoky the Bear was right: only WE can prevent forest fires!  You’ll need a roaring fire to roast marshmallows, cook hotdogs and snuggle by when it gets chilly. Here are some basic campfire safety tips:

·         Use dry, dead wood – no living or wet wood please. No one wants a smoldering, smoky mess, especially the live treed you were going to use as kindling!

·         Pay attention to area warnings for campfire conditions. If it’s too windy or has been too dry out, don’t chance a forest fire - use the Hibachi and get some blankets.

·         Keep children away from the fire and set the ground rules from the beginning. There should be no running or jumping anywhere near the fire pit.

·         Put your fire out with a bucket of water. For good measure, you can also shovel some dirt or sand on the pit after.

The excitement is building and we are all itching to get out those swimming suits, light the camp fire or feel the wind in our hair while boating through our favourite lakes. Simple, wholesome fun with simple, straightforward safety tips. Spring and summer, here we come!

Lilly Gordon is a freelance author and web publisher. She is an advocate for lake, cabin and boat safety, and recommends a rock guard when travelling with a watercraft.