Avoiding Cottage Fires: Fire Safety and Insurance Tips for Ontario Cottage Owners

Updated October 2026

For many Ontario families, the cottage is a place to relax, spend time outdoors and create lasting memories.

However, cottages can present fire risks that are different from those associated with a primary residence.

Many cottages are located in rural or remote areas, where fire departments may have longer response times. Some rely on wood stoves, fireplaces or propane appliances, while others remain unoccupied for weeks or months at a time.

A fire that might be contained quickly in an urban neighbourhood can become much more serious at a remote cottage.

At L.D. Dermody Insurance Brokers, we encourage cottage owners to take steps to reduce fire risks and understand how their insurance coverage applies.

1. Understand the Unique Fire Risks at Your Cottage

Cottages can be particularly vulnerable to fire for several reasons.

Remote Locations

Some cottages are located a considerable distance from the nearest fire station. Access may be limited by narrow roads, private lanes or seasonal road conditions.

Limited Water Supply

Unlike homes in urban communities, cottages may not have access to municipal fire hydrants.

Wood-Burning Appliances

Wood stoves and fireplaces are common at cottages but require proper installation, maintenance and operation.

Extended Periods Without Occupants

A fire or electrical problem may go undetected when nobody is at the property.

Surrounding Vegetation

Trees, brush and dry vegetation can allow an outdoor fire to spread rapidly.

Understanding these risks is the first step toward protecting your property.

2. Maintain Wood Stoves and Fireplaces

Wood-burning appliances are a common source of heat at Ontario cottages.

When properly installed and maintained, they can provide reliable warmth. However, improper installation, damaged chimneys and inadequate cleaning can create serious fire hazards.

Before using a wood stove or fireplace:

Have the appliance and chimney inspected by a qualified professional.
Clean the chimney as needed to remove creosote buildup.
Check for damaged chimney components, stovepipes and firebricks.
Maintain appropriate clearances between the appliance and combustible materials.
Use a suitable protective hearth.
Burn properly seasoned firewood.
Avoid using gasoline, lighter fluid or other accelerants to start a fire.
Keep combustible materials away from the appliance.

Never leave a wood-burning appliance operating contrary to the manufacturer's instructions or applicable safety requirements.

What Is a WETT Inspection?

Cottage owners may encounter the term WETT inspection when arranging insurance.

WETT stands for Wood Energy Technology Transfer.

A WETT-trained or certified professional may inspect a wood-burning system and provide documentation concerning its installation and condition.

Some insurance companies require an inspection report before agreeing to insure a property with a wood stove or fireplace.

Others may request updated documentation following renovations or changes to the heating system.

A WETT inspection is not a guarantee that a wood-burning system is safe under every condition, and the scope of an inspection can vary.

If your insurer requires an inspection, confirm exactly what type of report it will accept.

3. Never Install or Modify a Wood Stove Without Advising Your Insurer

Adding a wood stove or changing an existing heating system can affect your cottage insurance.

Insurance companies consider the type of heating system when evaluating a property's fire risk.

If you install a new wood stove, fireplace insert or other solid-fuel heating appliance, notify your insurance broker before making the change.

The insurance company may require information about the appliance, installation, clearances and inspection documentation.

Failing to disclose a material change to the property's heating system could create insurance complications, particularly if a fire occurs.

4. Check Your Cottage's Electrical System

Electrical problems can lead to fires, especially in older cottages.

Some cottages were originally built for seasonal use and may have electrical systems that were not designed for today's appliances and equipment.

Consider having a licensed electrical contractor inspect your system if you notice:

Frequently tripped breakers or blown fuses.
Flickering lights.
Warm outlets or switches.
Discoloured receptacles.
Damaged or exposed wiring.
Extension cords being used as permanent wiring.

Avoid overloading circuits and do not run extension cords beneath carpets or through walls.

If your cottage has older wiring, an outdated electrical panel or a history of electrical problems, discuss the situation with a qualified electrician.

Insurance companies may also have underwriting requirements concerning certain electrical systems.

5. Use Propane Appliances Safely

Propane is commonly used at cottages for cooking, heating, refrigeration and hot water.

Propane appliances should be installed, serviced and repaired by appropriately qualified professionals.

Important precautions include:

Inspecting propane connections and equipment as recommended.
Keeping propane cylinders in approved outdoor locations.
Ensuring appliances have proper ventilation.
Following manufacturer instructions.
Never using outdoor propane appliances indoors.
Keeping combustible materials away from heating equipment.

If you smell propane or suspect a leak, leave the area and contact the appropriate emergency service or propane supplier from a safe location.

Do not operate electrical switches or use anything that could create a spark.

6. Install and Maintain Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Working smoke alarms provide an important early warning in the event of a fire.

Ontario law requires smoke alarms in specified locations in residential occupancies, including on every storey and outside sleeping areas. Applicable requirements depend on the property and its configuration.

Carbon monoxide alarms are also required in specified circumstances, including where fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces or certain other conditions are present.

Ontario's carbon monoxide alarm requirements have been expanded, so cottage owners should confirm that their alarms meet the current requirements applicable to their property.

As a practical safety measure:

Install alarms in all required locations.
Test alarms regularly.
Replace batteries where applicable.
Replace alarms according to manufacturer instructions.
Ensure guests know what the alarms sound like and how to evacuate.

If your cottage is rented to others, confirm that the property complies with all applicable fire and building safety requirements.

A fire extinguisher should also be readily accessible, particularly near cooking areas.

7. Be Careful With Portable Heaters

Portable electric heaters can be useful for taking the chill out of a cottage, but they must be used properly.

Keep portable heaters away from curtains, bedding, furniture and other combustible materials.

Plug electric heaters directly into appropriate wall outlets rather than extension cords or power bars, unless the manufacturer specifically permits otherwise.

Do not use outdoor fuel-burning heaters inside a cottage.

Never leave portable heaters operating unattended unless the equipment is specifically designed and approved for that use.

8. Practise Safe Cooking Habits

Cooking equipment is a common cause of residential fires.

At the cottage, distractions can be plentiful, especially when family and friends are visiting.

To reduce the risk:

Stay in the kitchen when frying or cooking at high temperatures.
Keep towels, paper products and other combustible materials away from burners.
Keep cooking equipment clean.
Make sure children and pets stay away from hot surfaces.
Know how to respond safely to a small cooking fire.

Never use water on a grease fire.

If a fire cannot be controlled safely, leave the building and call emergency services.

9. Keep Barbecues Away From Buildings

Barbecues should be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas and positioned according to manufacturer instructions.

Avoid placing a barbecue too close to cottage walls, railings, overhanging branches or other combustible materials.

Never operate a barbecue inside a cottage, garage, enclosed porch or other unsuitable space.

Check the condition of hoses, connections and equipment before use.

Make sure the barbecue is turned off and has cooled before leaving it unattended.

10. Reduce the Risk of Wildfire

Ontario cottages are often surrounded by forests, trees and other vegetation.

During dry conditions, a small outdoor fire can spread quickly.

Cottage owners can reduce wildfire risks by:

Removing dead branches, leaves and other combustible debris near buildings.
Keeping firewood and other combustible materials away from exterior walls.
Maintaining roofs and gutters.
Trimming vegetation where appropriate.
Using fire-resistant materials when undertaking exterior improvements.
Following local burning restrictions.

FireSmart Canada provides guidance on reducing the vulnerability of homes and cottages to wildfire.

Even properties that have never experienced a nearby wildfire can benefit from basic prevention measures.

11. Follow Local Campfire Rules

Campfires are part of the cottage experience, but they must be managed carefully.

Before lighting a fire, check for municipal restrictions, provincial fire restrictions and applicable fire bans.

Requirements can vary depending on where your cottage is located.

When campfires are permitted:

Use a suitable firepit in a safe location.
Keep the fire small and manageable.
Have water or other appropriate extinguishing equipment nearby.
Never leave a fire unattended.
Keep children and pets a safe distance away.
Extinguish the fire completely before leaving.

Do not assume that a fire is out simply because visible flames have disappeared.

Embers can remain hot and reignite.

For additional information, see our article Campfire Safety.

12. Take Extra Precautions When Closing the Cottage

A cottage that remains unoccupied for extended periods requires additional attention.

Before leaving:

Turn off unnecessary electrical appliances.
Ensure wood stoves and fireplaces are completely extinguished.
Check that portable heaters are turned off.
Store flammable materials safely.
Remove combustible debris from around the building.
Confirm smoke alarms are functioning.
Follow the appropriate procedures for propane and other fuel systems.

If your cottage is winterized, ensure that the closing process is appropriate for the property's heating, plumbing and other systems.

For more information, see our article Preparing the Cottage for Winter.

13. Make Sure Emergency Vehicles Can Reach Your Cottage

Access is an important consideration for remote properties.

A fire department may have difficulty reaching a cottage if the road is narrow, overgrown, poorly maintained or inaccessible during certain seasons.

Consider the following:

Is your cottage address clearly visible?
Can emergency vehicles access the property?
Are gates or private-road access arrangements likely to cause delays?
Is there a reliable way to contact emergency services?
Do visitors know the property's civic address?

If your cottage is on an island or accessible only by boat, emergency response may be even more complicated.

These factors can also affect an insurance company's willingness to provide coverage and the premium charged.

14. Does Cottage Insurance Cover Fire Damage?

Fire is generally an insured peril under many cottage insurance policies.

However, the extent of coverage depends on the policy purchased, its conditions, exclusions and the information provided to the insurance company.

Cottage insurance can differ considerably from standard homeowners insurance.

For example, policies may vary in how they insure:

The cottage building.
Detached structures.
Personal belongings.
Additional living expenses or loss of use.
Replacement cost versus actual cash value.
Seasonal or year-round occupancy.
Rental use.
Wood-burning appliances.

Some cottage policies provide broad coverage, while others insure against a more limited list of specified perils.

It is important to review your actual policy rather than assuming that all cottage insurance is the same.

15. Could a Fire Claim Be Affected by Changes to the Cottage?

Potentially.

Insurance companies assess cottage risks based on information such as the property's construction, heating systems, use, occupancy and location.

Certain changes may be material to the insurance risk.

Examples include:

Installing a wood stove or changing the primary heating system.
Converting a seasonal cottage to year-round use.
Beginning to rent the cottage to paying guests.
Undertaking major renovations.
Leaving the property vacant rather than simply seasonally unoccupied.
Making other significant changes to the property's use or condition.

These changes do not automatically mean that a fire claim will be denied.

However, failing to disclose material changes can create coverage concerns under applicable policy conditions and insurance law.

The safest approach is to speak with your insurance broker before making significant changes.

16. Understand the Difference Between Seasonal Use and Vacancy

A cottage that is closed for the winter is not necessarily considered vacant for insurance purposes.

Many cottage insurance policies are designed to accommodate seasonal occupancy.

However, the situation may change if the property is no longer being used as a cottage, has been emptied of its contents, is undergoing extensive renovations or is otherwise no longer occupied as originally represented.

Insurance companies may treat these circumstances differently.

If your cottage's use changes, contact your broker to confirm whether the existing policy remains appropriate.

For more information, see our article Vacancy: Are You Covered? What Ontario Property Owners Need to Know.

17. What Should You Do After a Cottage Fire?

If a fire occurs, your first priority is personal safety.

Leave the building immediately and contact emergency services.

Do not re-enter until authorities advise that it is safe.

Once the immediate danger has passed:

Contact Your Insurance Broker or Insurance Company

Report the loss as soon as reasonably possible.

Prevent Further Damage Where Safe

Your insurance policy may require reasonable steps to protect the property from additional damage.

Document the Damage

Take photographs and prepare a list of damaged belongings when it is safe to do so.

Keep Receipts

Retain receipts for necessary emergency expenses and temporary repairs.

Speak With the Claims Adjuster

Ask about the claims process, applicable deductibles and any documentation required.

Do not discard damaged property before discussing it with the insurance company, unless necessary for safety or to prevent further damage.

18. Review Your Cottage Insurance Regularly

Cottage properties often change over time.

You may replace an old wood stove, renovate the kitchen, build a new deck, add a bunkie or begin using the cottage more frequently.

The cost of rebuilding may also increase as construction costs change.

Reviewing your cottage insurance periodically helps ensure that the insurance company has accurate information and that your coverage remains appropriate.

When reviewing your policy, consider asking:

Is my cottage insured for replacement cost or actual cash value?
Is the building insurance limit adequate?
Are my wood stove and other heating systems properly disclosed?
Are detached buildings included?
Does the policy reflect how often the cottage is occupied?
Are there restrictions relating to seasonal use or rental activity?
What deductibles and exclusions apply?

A regular insurance review can help identify concerns before a claim occurs.

Protect Your Cottage and the Memories It Holds

A cottage fire can cause significant financial loss and destroy a place that may have been part of a family for generations.

Although not every fire can be prevented, regular maintenance, safe heating practices, working alarms and responsible outdoor fire use can substantially reduce the risk.

It is equally important to ensure that your cottage insurance reflects the property's actual use and condition.

At L.D. Dermody Insurance Brokers, we can help you review your cottage insurance, discuss coverage for wood-burning appliances and explain the insurance considerations associated with renovations, seasonal occupancy and other changes.

If you have questions about your cottage insurance, please contact our office. We would be pleased to help.

This article provides general fire safety and insurance information for Ontario cottage owners as of October 2026. Fire safety requirements may vary by property and municipality. Insurance coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the applicable policy.