We love our pets! They’re important parts of our families. So when we talk about electrical safety in the home, it stands to reason this includes keeping the furriest of our family members safe also!
National Dog Day is August 26, so we thought this month would be a great time to “paws” and think about electrical safety when it comes to keeping your fuzzy-wuzzies from catching a buzzy zap! Here are some tips and reminders to help keep your pets safe from electricity:
Block or Hide Electrical Cords
The saying “out of sight, out of mind” stands true for animals, too. Keeping electrical cords hidden or preventing access to them will help keep your pets from chewing on them, which could be dangerous for the entire household. Not only could your pets get electrocuted, but the frayed wires could cause a shock to those unplugging or plugging in the cords, or even create a fire hazard.
Detangle ‘Nests’ of Wires
Clean up your cables to keep safe. Tangled up electrical cords offer another danger other than electrocution—strangulation. If pets get stuck in a nest of cords, they could accidently choke themselves while playing or trying to get free. They could also injure themselves in a panic as they squirm or jerk trying to free themselves from the trap of wires.
Keep Small Appliances Away From Water
Electricity and water don’t mix. As much of a safety tip this is for humans, it is for our furry family members also. If a playful pet accidentally (or even purposely—we’re looking at you, cats) knocks a plugged in appliance into a tub, sink, pool or any other wet area, they could be seriously hurt.
Watch Out for Underground
If you have a dog who loves digging, keep in mind any underground electrical wires that may be buried in your yard. You may need to fence or block off where those lines are located to keep Fido from getting fried. Remember, you can always call 811 if you need help locating lines.
Know What to Do
If the unthinkable does occur, and your precious pet is injured or electrocuted, be prepared by knowing what to do in case of this type of emergency.
- Immediately unplug or remove the hazard to avoid further injury.
- If you notice burns, apply a cold compress.
- Keep your vet’s after-hours or emergency phone number handy, so you can find it easily in the chaos of what’s going on.
- If you feel it’s not necessary to contact your vet, be sure to keep a close eye on your pet and monitor them for a day or two to notice any changes in breathing patterns or other behavior.
We hope you’ll find these pet electrical safety tips helpful and useful. At GVEC we care about keeping all our members safe—even the hairiest! And we care about their pets, too!
