Staying Safe Up at the Cottage

Because of their more isolated settings, it is important to avoid injuries at the cottage. You’re probably considerably further away from medical help at the cottage than you are at home, and the situation can be made worse if your cottage is rural or has access to water such as the lakes.

You may potentially be injured when not even near the cottage or a car. The additional distance means not just more time until you can receive treatment, but also more time in pain.

It pays to be extra cautious about personal safety at the cottage. There are considerably more safety concerns at the cottage than at home, ranging from being more active to strolling on rocky, uneven ground and even venturing too close to the dock’s edge.

Here are a few pointers to help you be safe at the cottage!

Be Mindful

Cottage days are often about not making plans, often take their own course on a day-to-day basis. When you purchase a cottage on Lake of Bays for example, you may spend your days relaxing by the water, or taking off for hiking opportunities through the many forest trails. With life at the cottage, you may never know what you’re doing from one minute to the next.

This is why it’s important to be mindful during your activities. Take note of everything you do. Instead of rushing to assist in lifting the boat, take a minute to secure a firm grasp, straighten your back, and remember to raise with your legs. When walking on uneven, rocky, or pebbled terrain, keep your eyes aware of the ground and where you’re stepping.

Make the Effort to Use the Appropriate Tools

You’re eager to get that rock out of the way. However, the shovel you may use as leverage is down at the pier. So, you give it a go. Not only will the rock remain in the path, but you may end up in the hospital. You’re at the cottage, so you have the opportunity to do things correctly.

Put on the Proper Gear

In addition to sun protection, wearing shorts, flip-flops, and sunglasses to the cottage can be a major mistake. One of the greatest methods to avoid harm is to wear the proper gear, including eye protection when necessary. If you suffer a head injury and fall into the water while on the boat, a life preserver can keep you alive.

You might prevent injuries at the cottage by beginning before you leave home. Keeping fit allows your body to handle greater stress and movement. Treatment for pre-existing diseases can also prevent them from worsening.

Stretch First Thing in the Morning

You never know what will happen at the cottage on any given day. However, whether it’s a day of sun and joy or duties and more chores, you risk damage. Lifting the boat trailer or sawing wood might put your body through strains it isn’t used to. Stresses that can hurt you. Even a few minutes of stretching can help warm up your muscles and lower your risk of injury.

Work on your core stability with crunches and leg lifts if you want to take it a step further. A strong core will help you avoid injury and provide better support for much of what you do around the cottage, from swimming to launching the fishing boat.