| Pets are like children in some ways. They have a | | | | your home take every precaution to protect your |
| curious nature and a natural tendency to get into | | | | pet from harm. Open windows or turn on ceiling fans |
| things that could be harmful. If you have a pet or are | | | | for proper ventilation. Put your pet in another room. |
| thinking of getting one, it's best to pet-proof your | | | | Make sure your pet doesn't escape through any |
| house. Here are a few ways to protect your pet | | | | open windows. If necessary, take your pet to a |
| from household dangers. | | | | friend or relative's house for a couple of hours. Take |
| Keep a lid on the garbage. | | | | precautions when using a pesticide outdoors in your |
| Cats and dogs are natural born garbage pickers. They | | | | garden as well. Even if your pet is an indoor pet only, |
| will rummage through the trash like a veritable | | | | there is always a chance that he may get outside. |
| treasure chest if given the chance. Digging through | | | | Clean spills thoroughly. |
| trash cans may pose a hazard to our four-legged | | | | Some products such as bleach or antifreeze are |
| friends since we toss all sorts of harmful substances | | | | deadly to pets. Be careful when using these and |
| into the garbage. | | | | other similar products. If spills occur, clean the area |
| Keep the toilet lid closed. | | | | thoroughly and flush with water several times. Keep |
| We all know that dogs are notorious for drinking | | | | pets out of areas such as the laundry room or |
| from the toilet and so are some cats. People have | | | | garage. |
| been known to flush all sorts of substances from | | | | Keep medications and cleaning supplies under lock and |
| medication to leftover hair dye down the toilet. | | | | key. |
| People also may pour bleach or cleanser into the | | | | Dogs and cats love to chew. Their teeth are sharp |
| toilet bowl and let it stand to remove stains and | | | | enough to penetrate plastic bottles. Placing items on |
| odor. Chemicals are used in much the same way to | | | | a high shelf may deter dogs in their curious quest but |
| treat clogged drains. Fresheners are placed inside the | | | | not cats. Your feline friend can easily reach places |
| toilet bowl to keep it clean and odor free. While | | | | that you have to stand on a chair to reach. It's best |
| some toilet bowl deodorizers are non-toxic, others | | | | to keep medications in a medicine cabinet. Although |
| can be harmful. Keep the lid down and the bathroom | | | | many people keep household cleaning products under |
| door closed for your pet's protection. | | | | the sink it is best to put a latch on cabinet doors if |
| Always rinse out the sink and bathtub. | | | | they are easily opened. Cats and dogs are pretty |
| Cats have a bad habit of jumping in sinks, on tables, | | | | adept at using their paws and even their noses to |
| countertops or anywhere else they can get to. They | | | | pry or nudge doors open. |
| will lick water from the sink or nibble on bits of food | | | | Make sure screens are in and doors are latched. |
| left after rinsing dinner dishes. Make sure to clean the | | | | If your pet is an indoor pet make sure that your |
| sink out after use and rinse thoroughly. Treat the | | | | windows are down and screens are in place. Be |
| bathtub in the same manner. | | | | certain that family members close the door behind |
| Hide or cover electrical cords. | | | | them as they come and go throughout the day. Pets |
| Wires or electrical cords are a big attraction to most | | | | often get outside and become lost or injured |
| pets. It can be very dangerous for a cat or dog to | | | | because windows are left up or doors are not |
| get shocked by chewing on electrical cords. It could | | | | completely closed. A cat or dog can easily slip outside |
| even prove fatal. Try to keep cords out of sight if | | | | when you're not looking. |
| possible. Run them behind furniture; staple them to | | | | If you take care to make sure things are in their |
| baseboards or cover with electrical tape if necessary. | | | | proper places you can keep your pet safe and |
| Use insecticides with care. | | | | healthy by preventing careless accidents. |
| If you need to use insecticides or pesticides around | | | | |