For a dog or young child, living in a cabin can be a great pleasure, with many places to explore and play. However, it is best to be vigilant to make sure they are safe when they are enjoying their time outdoors and indoors.
When buying or renting a cabin for the first time, or visiting your vacation residence, take a tour to make sure there are no unwanted animals or insects currently living in the house. Black widow and brown recluse spiders make their home in the mountains of North Georgia and tend to prefer dark, quiet areas. Check the corners, intact elements, etc. to see if there are signs of these spiders. Shake out bedding, clothing, and towels if you’ve left them lying down for a while.
Another tour outside is necessary to ensure that there are no poisonous plants or animals in the immediate area. Poison ivy can make the holidays miserable for a child or pet who bumps into it. Some ornamental plants that thrive in many Georgia homes and gardens can pose a threat, such as lily of the valley and oleander, as well as common plants such as buttercups and fern ferns. Teach your child not to eat anything found in the woods unless you have permission and keep your pets on a leash until you have checked the immediate area.
Georgia is home to 6 varieties of poisonous snakes: Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Coral, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake, and Pigmy Rattlesnake. Children and pets are much more susceptible to venom from these snakes than adults and special measures may need to be taken to discourage snakes from viewing your home as home. Most of the time, snakes won’t bother people or pets if they don’t bother them, but children and pets tend to be curious and unconcerned about danger.
Most wild animals pose no threat to your pets and children. However, there is always the possibility that your child or pet could surprise a wild animal. Bears are common in the mountains of North Georgia and can be aggressive if caught or looking for food. Teach your child not to approach or feed any wild animals, no matter how cute or unthreatening they may seem. Teach them what to do if they come across a bear. Tell them not to put their hands in dark places without making sure there is nothing there that could offend their intrusion.
Pets must be kept under control when allowed outside; If they are not absolutely trustworthy to stay and come when called, it is best to keep them tied up. A pet can harass wildlife and contract parasites and disease by running through the woods, eating contaminated meat, or fighting a wild animal infected with a virus. Rabies is alive and well in the southern United States; make sure your pet is up to date on its vaccinations. Also, the stories about dogs that bring bears back to their owners are not all legends. Keep your pet under control.
Wildlife and plants are not the only things that can be dangerous for your children and pets in North Georgia. The desert contains many natural hazards, such as cliffs, rivers, inhospitable climates and, of course, the lack of directional signs. Your children should be taught how to avoid getting lost and, if they get lost, what to do. The right attractions are also a must to deal effectively with sudden weather changes. A light rain coat doesn’t add much weight to a backpack and can mean the difference between soggy and relatively dry.
A healthy respect for the power of natural features won’t hurt either. Rivers can be deceptively fast and deep, in addition to having undertows and undercurrents. Cliffs and ravines can be difficult to traverse safely. With these, as with almost every aspect of North Georgia’s wilderness, common sense and education go a long way to keeping your children safe.
Pets, as always, should be controlled and prevented from rushing headlong into an unfamiliar stretch of water or down a new path. Even a good swimmer can be overtaken by an unexpected current or slip on a crumbling path. Obedience training is a must for dogs taken into the wild, even if the leash is never loosened.
Prevention is the key to having a fun time in the family cabin. Teaching children to respect the environment and what it contains will keep them safe. Training and managing pets will also keep them safe, so you can focus on the many natural beauties that surround you in your North Georgia cabin.
