11 Feb
Your furry friends are beloved members of your household, so it’s important to keep them safe. Curious kittens and playful puppies can easily get into trouble by chewing on electrical cords or wires. Follow these simple tips to protect your pets from electrical hazards:
Tuck away dangling cords:
To prevent an unwelcome (and potentially fatal) electric shock, tuck your cords away using a twist-tie or cover them with plastic tubing whenever possible. Another option is pet-proofing the cords by lightly wiping a small amount of a deterring odor or flavor. If you can’t keep cords and wires out of reach of your pets, unplug your electronics/appliances when not in use.
Block off unsafe areas near electrical connections:
The warm area behind your dryer, computer or other electrical device may be appealing to your pet, but it is not the safest place to doze off. Block off these areas if you fear the temptation will be too strong for your pet to resist.
Space heater safety:
Place space heaters in safe and stable areas that your pet won’t trip and/or potentially burn themselves. Maintain a 3-foot “no pet zone” around the space heater.
Lookout for hazards on your walk:
Contact voltage or stray voltage are most common during wet weather conditions when electricity or voltage can become present on sidewalk and street equipment. Although electric shock is rare, lead your pets around any metal surfaces and avoid walking through puddles (particularly in denser urban areas). As an extra precaution, buy rubber-soled booties to add a layer of protection.
Ensure your yard is secure and properly fenced:
Proper fencing keeps your pets away from dangerous electrical items such as landscape lights, holiday string lights, underground wires and HVAC system wiring. Don’t leave other electrical equipment outside unattended.
For more electrical safety tips, please visit this page.