Shuswap Salmon Arm area....."Get cabin ready for summer"

After a long harsh winter, warmer days are finally here and many of you will be opening up the cabin for the summer. Before settling in, there are tasks to complete and now is the time to ensure everything is in fine working order. Here are some tips to help you get ready for the season.

Outside

- Check all fences and security gates to ensure nothing has been tampered with.

- Check all window glass to ensure no one has made forced entry and if so, contact the police to file a report.

- Clean windows and screens. Repair or replace screens if needed.

- Ensure no animals have made their home under the cottage or decks (you don't want to meet a skunk). Seal off any holes in the exterior that could be entry points for small pests, such as bats, squirrels and mice.

- Check the foundation for winter damage such as cracks, leaks or signs of moisture, and make necessary repairs.

- If your cottage is on a lake, check your dock for damage. Ensure all dock boards are secure and safe.

- If your water system is pumping from the lake, clean the water line screen. You don't want to burn the motor out on the first day.

- Washing decks and siding is very important since mother nature will deposit everything we send up in the air back to us, causing deterioration of decks, siding, windows and doors.

- Remove any tree limbs that have fallen on the roof of the cottage.

- Clean leaves and any other debris off the roof and don't forget the gutters.

- All shrubs and trees should be trimmed to reduce the danger of wild fires.

- Cut the grass and rake up leaves and debris away from the cottage. Pay close attention to anything that may be affected if ever there is a wild fire.

- Fire wood should never be piled close to the cottage.

- Keep the fire pit well away from any structures and don't burn anything that may blow out of the pit, should a wind sweep through your site.

- Always keep a garden hose attached to an outside faucet and ready if required in the event of an emergency.

- Ensure safe storage for any flammable liquids such as gasoline, propane and solvents (including oil-based paints), which should all be in an outbuilding separate from all living quarters.

- When using anything electrical such as lawnmower, tree trimmer or grass and weed wacker make sure it and any extension cord is plugged into a G.F.I. (Ground Fault Interceptor) Duplex Receptacle.

Inside

- Check all electrical circuits, which should have been shut off at the panel before closing up for winter. Also, know that squirrels and raccoons do sometimes chew on wires.

- Turn on the faucets to clear the lines and fill the drain traps with water in the bathtubs, shower, sinks and floor drains.

- Don't light a fire in the fireplace until you've checked for debris in the chimney.

- Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries.

- Replenish the first-aid kit and candles and replace flashlight batteries. Have a battery or solar-powered windup radio on hand for emergencies.

- Take adequate fresh water to replenish any contaminated or self-filled water containers in the event your water system malfunctions.

- Check your upper roof cavity to ensure that no unwanted animals have made their homes in the insulation. As well, remove any wasp nests.

- Plug in the refrigerator to ensure all is working well. It should have been unplugged when you left for the winter.

(prepared by Shell Busey, The Province)