There’s nothing quite like going out for a relaxing weekend at the cabin, and guests can make the outing even sweeter. However, it’s vital to keep the safety and security of your family and friends the priority while you’re out there in the wilderness. It’s especially important if you don’t live there year-round and can’t keep tabs on it while you’re gone. From setting up a security system to staying safe around animals, there’s a lot you can do to guard your cabin, and these tips provide a solid starting point.
Have an Emergency Plan and The Proper Supplies
If your cabin is secluded and without many emergency services nearby, you’ll want to have a plan of action in the case of an emergency. At a minimum, it’s essential to have a first aid kit in the cabin and everyone should be informed of its location. Your kit should include the basics like gauze, bandages, hand sanitizer and a thermometer. Plus, it’s wise to keep any medication that a family member uses regularly on hand. Just be mindful of expiration dates and storage instructions.
It’s good to be ready for any emergency at the cabin. If there’s the risk of power outages, be sure to have flashlights, surge protectors, rechargeable batteries, candles and lighters or safety matches. Since a lot can happen at the cabin, be sure to stock up on many bottles of water in case you’re faced with a long-term situation.
Many families visit their cabin during the winter to enjoy the elements and to get away from electronics and the hustle and bustle of everyday life. While you may be excited about living with just the basics, it’s vital to be prepared for the case of a power outage. To start, every cabin should have a backup generator that can run for at least 6-8 hours to keep your food and family safe until the power is restored. If you have a fireplace, stock up on firewood and keep it dry so it can be used at a moment’s notice.
Be Careful With Wildlife
When you don’t have neighbors nearby, and your cabin is surrounded by acres of forest and wildlife, you need to be careful and advise guests how to be safe during their visit. One crucial tip is to stay away from where snakes and other potentially dangerous animals may hide or make their home. Snakes and spiders often like to hide in stacked firewood, so be cautious when getting wood for those cold nights.
Also, inform guests to keep the cabin clean, especially around the exterior, and avoid leaving food sitting out that can attract bears and other hungry predators. It’s also wise not to feed the wildlife. Putting out a bird feeder for the birds may seem harmless enough, but the seed can also attract mice and rodents, which then attract foxes and larger predators that you don’t want around. In general, keep your distance from all wildlife.
Stay Safe When Disconnected
In the wilderness, where there are fewer cell towers, there’s a greater likelihood of being without phone reception, so you must be cautious. That’s important whether you’re in the cabin or going for a long hike around the natural “neighborhood.”
Proper precautions should start before you leave for the cabin. Inform friends or family of where they’ll be and when they intend to return so help can be sent if necessary. It can also help to learn some navigation techniques, like how to use a compass and a map. If you want to stay in touch in a place with no cell signal, research options like a satellite phone or watch that you can use in case of an emergency.
Keep the Cabin Secure From Intruders
Living in the middle of nowhere can be peaceful, but criminals also realize how secluded the place may be, and they could try to take advantage. That’s why you must protect the property and the people within. Doing so will require securing every entry point, including the garage door. If possible, opt for an automatic garage door that doesn’t need to be manually locked but is instead operated by a motor. Also, look into a smart garage door that will send you alerts whenever it’s opened while you’re away so you can keep tabs at all times.
If your garage has other doors or windows, it’s essential that you lock those entry points as well, and you can also add privacy film to the windows so the criminals can’t see in. It’s also advised to add lights and security cameraswith motion sensors around the garage and the rest of the property. When lights suddenly turn on, they could startle criminals away. Plus, if you see a light turn on from inside, you can go to investigate.
Finally, a great way to deter criminals is to give your cabin a lived-in look. If you leave for months and let the grass and weeds grow long, and the cabin looks like it’s in ill repair, criminals may assume the house is unattended and you’re not home. Solve this issue by having a neighbor cut the grass and fix anything that breaks. If you visit fairly often, you could also set your indoor lights on a timer, so it gives the impression that someone is inside.
Your cabin is your vacation oasis, so you deserve to enjoy it as peacefully as possible. Put the proper protections and security measures in place and enforce guidelines when guests arrive so everyone stays safe and has a great time.
