Closing down the cottage

THORNHILL, ON, Oct. 2, 2012 /CNW/ - With the temperature dipping and leaves changing colours, it can only mean one thing - the end of cottage season. With the long, lazy days of summer over, cottage owners are now faced with the task of closing down their summer homes.

CAA Insurance recommends the following tips to help protect against unexpected surprises when you return in the spring.

Shut down the water. If you don't plan on visiting the cottage during the fall and winter months, you need to shut off and drain all the water from both your water tank and the pipes.

Turn off furnace and baseboard heaters. Baseboard heaters can be quite dangerous and are responsible for many cottage fires across the province.

Burglar-proof your cottage. Pack or take home small electronics, tools, ladders, garden tools and fishing gear. As well, close all curtains and blinds to keep prying eyes out.

Stop rodents from entering your cottage. Take a walk around your property and block all openings to keep rodents and other small animals from moving in for the winter.

Lock all the doors and windows. If you have neighbours you can trust who live in the area year-round, give them your phone number so they can call you in an emergency, and leave them a key.

Safely store your boats. Keep your boats well away from the water and securely locked.

Make sure your cottage is properly insured for the winter. CAA Insurance offers two cottage insurance packages: the seasonal package - for owners who use or visit their cottage a few months during the year, and the secondary seasonal residence package - for those who enjoy their retreat all year round.

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering insurance, travel, automotive care and roadside services. There are more than 1.8 million CAA members in South Central Ontario and 5 million members in Canada. We're more than Roadside Assistance. We're Life-side Assistance. Visit www.caasco.com. 

SOURCE: CAA South Central Ontario

Media contact: Silvana Aceto, Media and PR Specialist, CAA SCO, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone] or Jeff LeMoine, Communications Specialist, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone].