Friday, April 29th 2022, 11:30 am - Cottage season in Canada is upon us! If you’re opening your summer house for the season, here’s a simple checklist of five items you’ll want to take with you.
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When you’re opening a seasonal home, there are several important things you’ll need to do, like check the property for winter damage, ensure the electricity and hot water are turned back on, run your taps, and start your spring cleaning routine. Chances are you’ll want to get dockside as soon as possible and this list of practical cottage maintenance essentials will help you achieve that.
If you’re anything like me, I’m always rummaging through drawers, cupboards, and the pantry to look for AA batteries! Duracell guarantees their batteries will last up to 12 years in storage, so why not cancel the search party and stock up ahead of time. While you’re at it, you should also order a pack of the Duracell Coppertop AAA Alkaline Batteries - 24 Count and Duracell Coppertop C Alkaline Batteries - 8 Count.
If your cottage doesn’t have a wired smoke alarm with a built-in carbon monoxide detector, it’s wise to get a plug-in option like this one from First Alert. It includes a battery backup option for continuous monitoring during power outages. The alarm is designed to alert even the soundest sleepers with a loud 85-decibel warning when carbon monoxide is detected.
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Everyone’s experienced a wicked summer storm that’s knocked the power out. Sometimes it can be hours until hydro workers fix an outage, particularly in remote locations. You’ll want to have a reliable light source at the ready and this one boasts a 410-foot beam distance. This affordable flashlight is waterproof and floats, making it a good choice to take on boat trips too.
READ MORE: Our recommendations for a home emergency kit
Perhaps you’ve discovered some unwanted house guests since you closed the cottage last year. This reusable smart trap safely and humanely catches mice so you can release them back into the wild where they belong. All you have to do is bait the trap with cheese, peanut butter, or chocolate and when the mouse takes the food, the door will instantly snap shut. If all else fails, adopt a cat.
Though not new, ‘HEPA filter’ became a trending term in 2020 due to the pandemic and is holding strong today. An air purifier like this one from LEVOIT will not only help manage airborne particles like respiratory droplets but also dust, pollen, mould spores, pet dander, or whatever else may be lingering between the walls of your seasonal cottage.
READ MORE: Our recommendations for allergy sufferers
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Our trusted Product Specialists recommend high-quality items that we think will enhance your experience with Canadian weather conditions. Prices and availability of items are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
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