07/22/2025
Are you prepared for an emergency at the cottage?
Cottaging is supposed to be fun, but sometimes the unexpected happens.
Whether you need the Police, Fire or an Ambulance, your family, friends and guests staying at the cottage need to be ready.
Have the number to call in an emergency clearly written on the fridge where everyone can see it. Believe it or not, during the shock and chaos, you might not even remember that the number to call is 911.
Road Access:
• Know and write down your property identification 911 number (blue & white sign) located at the end of the driveway. Make sure it is visible and clear of any brush.
• Know the closest intersection so EMS can respond accordingly.
• If possible, have someone meet EMS at the end of the road/driveway.
Water Access:
Rod and I can't stress enough how important it is that more than one person at the cottage knows how to start, operate a boat and navigate the lake – during the day and at night.
What happens when the only boat operator is the one incapacitated during the emergency?
• Plan where you are going to meet the EMS if you’re able to safely transport the patient to shore. Will it be the public beach, Marina, etc. know it, talk about it and write it down.
• Make sure your property identification 911 number (blue & white sign) near the water/dock is visible.
• If you can transport the patient to shore, know the closest road accessible location for EMS to meet you at.
• If you are unable to transport the patient, have someone, if possible, meet EMS at the closest road accessible location so they can be guided back to the cottage quickly. Not all first responders are familiar with every lake.
Pet Emergencies:
• Know the phone number and address to the closest veterinarian clinic and after-hours emergency veterinarian clinic. In an emergency, there is no time to waste searching Google or asking for Facebook recommendations.
• It’s a wise idea to have more than one veterinarian office listed. Some rural locations don’t have the luxury of having a veterinarian on-site every day and in some rare situations, an after-hour emergency clinic may reach capacity.
• Talk about this with you family and cottage neighbour's. Get a plan ready today, print it out and make time for an emergency drill.
With everything, time matters!