Renovations at the cottage in remote areas: safety first.
Serious injuries are now more common among people doing renovations at their cottage or home than among workers using tools daily, according to the CHUM-affiliated Reimplantation Expertise Center, which shows that this trend has been increasing since 2008.
In addition, it is estimated that 1,850 deaths occur annually in Quebec due to domestic accidents, including renovations and maintenance work.
While most cottage owners in remote areas take advantage of the gentle summer season to carry out renovations, SIRIUSMEDx and Airmedic remind you of some safety measures to adopt so that your cottage renovations go smoothly.
Always stay vigilant during cottage renovations
The key is to always stay vigilant. Statistics show that the vast majority of injuries during renovations happen to experienced DIYers who are not using a circular saw for the first time. Jacques Caron is a good example. Having spent much of his life in remote areas, Mr. Caron is comfortable in the forest. Skilled with his hands, he often tinkers during his free time. While expanding his fishing camp in the forest in 2019, he accidentally sawed his leg due to a wrong maneuver. Rescued by Airmedic, he was transported to the Chicoutimi hospital where he received care from qualified medical personnel.
Caron tearfully testifies about how Airmedic played a decisive role during his accident.
Wear personal protective equipment
Too often, protective equipment like a hard safety helmet, reinforced leather gloves, hearing protection, and safety glasses or face shield are forgotten or intentionally set aside by DIYers working in remote areas. However, these items can make all the difference in an accident. If you are doing manual work at your cottage, don’t skip these essential items that can save your life and prevent serious injuries, such as protecting your head in the event of an accidental fall or your eyes when performing work that generates flying debris.
Additionally, we recommend wearing nylon ballistic pants or chaps with built-in knee protectors when using a chainsaw, as well as a long-sleeve shirt to protect your limbs from minor injuries. Steel-toed boots or shoes are also crucial when handling heavy materials. Boots with cleats, anti-slip soles, or cork soles are better suited for rough terrain.
Use the right tools during renovations at the cottage
Even tools that seem to be in perfect condition can cause trouble. Before each use, check the quality of your tools and ask yourself the following questions:
- Are they in good condition?
- Do they need maintenance?
- Should you replace them?
These are legitimate questions that can save you from unpleasant surprises. They are especially important if you are using a table saw, chainsaw, circular saw, or log splitter. Studies show that these are the tools that cause the most accidents during renovations.
Psst: when using these tools, don’t neglect lighting! Proper lighting allows you to clearly see your work surface and avoid minor injuries.
Have access to first aid equipment
Whether you live in a remote area or not, experts agree: you must have a first aid kit within reach. This is even more important if you live outside an urban center. If you are the victim or witness of a serious injury, you must be able to provide first aid while waiting for help. When using an air medical assistance service in an emergency, it is normal for helicopter deployment to take some time. That is why your kit should be compact and easy to carry. You should also have supplies to control bleeding and protect yourself from the elements, such as a reflective blanket.
Train to know what to do while waiting for help
Knowing that specialized medical care may take hours to arrive on site, it is also recommended to take wilderness first aid training to learn how to use your kit and provide the best care as quickly as possible. Difficult weather conditions, lack of transportation or communication, and evacuation challenges can all delay help.
You will gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide care to an injured person or even treat yourself if alone while waiting for EMS. The protocols in these courses are adapted for longer-duration care than standard urban courses. You will learn to provide care with limited resources and improvise using materials at hand.
Discover the training programs – wilderness first aid SIRIUSMEDx
Don’t wait until it’s too late
Indeed, prevention is better than cure. Don’t wait until you feel helpless from a lack of knowledge or have needed an air ambulance service like Airmedic to equip yourself with protection and training offered by SIRIUSMEDx. If you plan to do renovations or simply spend time in the forest, get informed before you go.
