Originally published in Lake of the Woods Area News, Volume 54, Number 4, Fall 2024
Securing your cottage
Cottages and summer homes are most vulnerable to thieves and subject to damage or vandalism in the off-season—from the week following Thanksgiving to the weeks prior to Victoria Day—especially if the owners are not using them regularly in the fall, winter or spring.
With the Labour Day weekend finished, many cottage and seasonal property owners now begin to consider the closure and winterizing of their properties. The Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA) wants to help you protect your investment, year-round.
Remember, the cost of owning a cottage or summer property could include the frustration and irritation of repairing damage and replacing stolen property, if no one is living there or checking it regularly.
If you own a cottage or other rural seasonal property, it’s time to consider the following:
- Secure your windows and doors. Close window curtains or blinds and put up shutters to protect the interior from marauders (animal or human).
- Leave no valuables at the cottage (electronics, personal items, tools) unless you’re prepared to lose them. Lock up sporting goods that you decide must stay year-round (fishing rods & equipment, water skis, toys). Record the serial numbers of anything of value left behind. Marking your valuables with a drivers’ license number can help deter a thief or aid in property recovery.
- Remove all food, and anything that may attract animals. Pack up and take home all alcohol. Don’t leave firearms or weapons at the cottage.
End of season tips
- If you are leaving vehicles, boats, ATVs or snow machines, make sure they’re winterized and secure. Leave nothing on trailers unless it is locked or disabled.
- Designate a year-round contact or key-holder for: alarms, thefts, weather damage or animal problems.
- Make a list of where everything is and make copies. Store one copy on your home computer and put a copy with items that will go back up to the cottage on your next trip.
- If you have propane appliances, make sure they are properly shut down.
- Drain all water pipes, heaters and fixtures, to avoid freezing.
- Defrost and unplug the refrigerator.
- Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly (replace if necessary) and ensure they have fresh batteries. You should have detectors on all floors and outside all sleeping areas.
- Place an open box of baking soda inside the refrigerator to
keep odours away. - Scatter moth balls in the attic and anywhere small animals or bugs might gather.
- Cover windows with shades for storm protection and theft prevention.
- Check your property insurance to ensure the coverage you have in place is adequate and appropriate for your needs.
- Organize snow removal if it will be required over the winter.
- Know which police force (OPP detachment) patrols your cottage area, and their phone number. Set up a network of neighbours to prevent and detect crime in your area. Know your neighbours, their movements and vehicles, and connect with the local OPP. Watching out for suspicious activity in and around your neighbours’ property can go a long way to lowering the incidence of property crime.
Check, check and check again
Check your insurance policy or talk to your broker before shutting down for the season. Your insurance company may require you to check on your property at regular intervals or have a monitored alarm system or other requirements.
Inside
- Turn the heat down (10°C) or off. If you choose to turn the heat off be sure to understand how to drain your water system to prevent pipes from freezing. Turn off the gas supply as well.
- Turn off or unplug baseboard heaters.
Outside
- Unplug any unnecessary appliances, or turn off breakers. Turning the power main off is not a good idea if you have sump pump, exterior lights and/or alarms.
- Check for and repair any openings mice, squirrels or other small animals can enter through.
- Clean outdoor furniture and move it inside the cottage or a shed.
- Inspect/replace damaged shingles on the roof.
- Check the caulking around all windows and doors.
- Clean out the eaves troughs to allow melting snow to drain properly and inspect all fascia boards.
- Leave a spare key and your contact info with someone you trust who can check the cottage regularly.
- Cut back trees and dead or damaged branches that overhang your cottage and outbuildings.
- Lock all doors and windows.
