Here at Miller’s, we LOVE our furry best friends. To us, they’re a part of the family, and we’d do anything to keep them safe. As much as we love man’s 4-legged besties, they can get into trouble from time to time, from chewing on your shoes to eating the TV remote. Sometimes our pets cause us trouble. But just like we’d keep our children safe from dangers in the home, we should do the same for our pets. Let’s look at five ways to protect your pets from electrical hazards in your home.Â
Tip 1 – Keep those cords away
The best first step to pet-proofing your home is to ensure that all electrical cords are out of reach. Chewing on cords is tempting, and the truth is most pets will probably want to try it. Avoid this by putting cables away. Cords shouldn’t be lying in the open in easy-to-reach locations (this is best for you & your pets). It’s also best to keep the wires hidden when possible not to create any tempting situations for your pet.
Tip 2 – Train your pets
Now we’re not dog trainers, and we certainly aren’t qualified to help you train your cat. But we do want to share that training your pet is a great way to prevent accidents from happening. When you let a pet know what’s right and wrong with reinforcement, you’ll stand a better chance of them making a good decision even when you’re not around. In general, cats respond better to negative stimuli, such as a spray bottle or poor-tasting flavors. In contrast, dogs respond better to positive stimuli, like treats and praise. Reinforcing what’s dangerous and what areas in the home are a no-no will help you rest easier.
Tip 3 – Buy quality
This tip doubles as a life tip too. Buying higher-quality products, like electrical cords and appliances, will help keep your home safer. Low-quality products tend to be more cheaply built and more likely to break when messed with. Buying high-quality products can help prevent your pet from causing damage the minute they *accidentally* chew on it. Investing in better quality products will help keep your pet AND your home safe in the long run.Â
Tip 4 – Consider outside your home too
If your dog or cat spends time outside, it’s important to remember any electrical equipment outside as well. Securing any cords and covering any outlets will help ensure your pet has less trouble to get into. If you’re not using an appliance, it’s best to unplug it and safely store the cord. If you have any cords buried, be sure they’re deep enough that a pet couldn’t reach them when digging.Â
Tip 5 – Know what to do in an emergency
We all hope that something like this never happens, but it’s always best to be prepared if it does. Here are a few simple steps to do should your pet get hurt messing with an electrical cord/appliance. For more in-depth details, ask your local vet for best practices and have the number ready in an emergency.
- Immediately unplug and remove the item that causes the issue. If, for example, it’s a chewed cord, it can still be dangerous. Carefully remove it from the area.Â
- Check your pet’s pulse and breathing to determine the severity of the issue.Â
- Call your emergency vet as soon as possible to get directions on the next steps or set up a time to take them in.Â
- Apply a cold compress if you notice any burns on the animal.Â
- Monitor their health and be sure to check the home for any more electrical hazards once the situation is resolved.Â
We hope that you never have to worry about your pet getting into any kind of dangerous situations. Just in case these tips should help you ensure your home remains safe for both you and your pets. For an electrical inspection or help ensuring your home is safe, give Miller’s Services a call! We’re happy to assist you with your electrical needs – (804) 758-4314.