Cookie Policy

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They help websites remember information about your visit, making your next visit easier and the site more useful to you.

How We Use Cookies

Cape Breton Oil Heat uses cookies and similar technologies to:

• Ensure our website functions properly
• Remember your preferences and settings
• Analyze how our website is used
• Improve your user experience
• Understand which pages are most popular

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies (Always Active)

Analytics Cookies (Optional)

Functional Cookies (Optional)

Third-Party Cookies

We may use third-party services that set their own cookies:

Google Analytics

• Purpose: Website traffic analysis and performance measurement
• Data collected: Page views, session duration, user behavior patterns
• Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Google reCAPTCHA (if implemented)

• Purpose: Protect forms from spam and abuse
• Data collected: User interaction patterns to verify human users
• Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

Browser Settings

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

Cookie Consent Management

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner where you can:

• Accept all cookies
• Accept only essential cookies
• Customize your preferences
• Learn more about our cookie use

You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer.

Opting Out of Analytics

To opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites:

• Visit: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
• Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

Impact of Disabling Cookies

Essential Cookies

Analytics Cookies

Disabling analytics cookies will:

• Not affect website functionality
• Prevent us from understanding how to improve our website
• Still allow you to use all features normally

Functional Cookies

Disabling functional cookies may result in:

• Having to re-enter preferences each visit
• Less personalized experience
• Some convenience features not working

Cookie Retention

Different cookies are stored for different periods:

• Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent cookies: Stored for up to 2 years
• Analytics cookies: Typically stored for 2 years
• Preference cookies: Stored until you change your settings

Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect cookie data:

• Cookies are encrypted where necessary
• Sensitive information is not stored in cookies
• Regular security assessments of cookie practices

Children's Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under 16. We do not knowingly collect cookie data from children under 16 years of age.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:

• Changes in our cookie practices
• New technologies or features
• Legal or regulatory requirements

We will notify you of significant changes by updating the "Last Updated" date and may provide additional notice for material changes.

Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy:

Your Consent

By continuing to use our website after seeing the cookie notice, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy. You can withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your cookie preferences.

Legal Basis

Our use of cookies is based on:

• Legitimate interest: For essential and analytics cookies
• Consent: For non-essential functional cookies
• Legal compliance: As required by applicable privacy laws