As many homeowners and renters know, pets are cherished companions that become part of the family, bringing joy after a long day, comforting us when we are down, and offering constant friendship. Many pet owners view their furry friends as their children, and similar to toddlers, they tend to get into mischief that can both destroy your possessions and be hazardous to their health and safety. This is especially true with kittens and puppies who are still learning the rules of the house.
One disaster waiting to happen is when pets interact with electrical equipment.
Homes contain numerous electrical components like cords, outlets, and appliances. Kittens, puppies, and older pets don’t understand that these can cause shocks or burns if tampered with. It’s up to owners to protect their beloved companions from potentially deadly consequences regarding electricity.
Pet safety includes keeping them safe form common electrical hazards around the home. Here are some no-brainer tips to consider that are good to implement for everyone in your home.
Exposed Cords
Exposed cords are a common household occurrence. Whether it’s a computer cord under a desk, cord from a lamp, or television connection, cords are impossible to avoid and often within reach of pets, making them ripe for chewing.
There are multiple reasons why your pet may chew on a cord – to relieve stress when they have separation anxiety, when they are bored, if they don’t have enough toys, or to ease mouth pain from teething when young. If cords are chewed through, it may electrocute your pet, cause severe burns, or even death. While a shock from a cord may merely jolt a human, puppies and kittens are small with still developing their hearts and nervous systems. A small jolt could seriously injure them.
Pet Safety: Try not to leave cords lying on the ground within reach of pets. Secure them with clips to walls or tables, secure them under rugs, cover them with heavy plastic sleeves, or ask a local electrician for further safety measures.
Hanging Cords
Hanging cords can also entice pets to play. This is especially true for cats as hanging cords appear similar to cat toys. Hanging cords include phone chargers that hang off the end of a nightstand, cords for high up sound systems, and long extension cords. Even if a cord is hanging high up seemingly out of reach of pets, remember that cats have large jumping radiuses and wily climbing capabilities.
Pet Safety: Use clips to secure hanging cords to walls as their swaying can further entice pets to play. Ensure that any chargers not in use are unplugged and fully on top of tables or counters so they do not hang.
Outlets
Similar to toddlers, outlets can be a hazard to pets due to pet curiosity. Where toddlers put their fingers into outlet sockets, animals use their tongues. It is not necessarily the outlet itself that interest pets, though that has been known to happen. It is more the items that stick out of outlets, such as nightlights and appliances. If cords are not fully flush with the outlet, pets may touch or lick the partially exposed prongs, causing a shock to the animal.
Pet Safety: Ensure that all nightlights and other appliances are fully plugged into wall outlets. The plug should be completely flush with the outlet where no prongs are exposed. You should also unplug appliances and nightlights when not in use to avoid accidental shocks.
Clothes Dryer and Other Equipment
Cats like to curl up around electrical equipment such as computers and dryers because the electrical currents create a warm environment. If there is a short, frayed wire, or other occurrence, these pets could suffer the consequences.
Pet Safety: Do not allow cats or other pets to nap on electrical equipment or cords. Place the napping feline in a more comfortable, warm location, possibly in a patch of sunlight streaming in through the window.
Bathroom Appliances
Bathrooms contain many small, electric appliances that playful pets can easily knock into a sink or bathtub, such as electric toothbrushes, curling irons, charging cell phones, and more. If knocked into standing water, this can create an extremely dangerous situation.
Pet Safety: Always unplug bathroom appliances when they are not in use and monitor your pet when around electric components in the bathroom. Install a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) within the outlet that stops the flow of electricity when issues occur. Also, monitor counter-friendly cats around appliances near the kitchen sink.
Take Away
Dogs, cats, and other pets are naturally curious and playful creatures, but expressing this curiosity around electrical components can have disastrous results. Many of us have come home to find our shoes, couch corners, and other possessions chewed or destroyed, but if this happens to an electrical item, you may find the reprimand you were going to give is no longer needed.
No matter if it is a result of pet boredom, lack of activity, or them attempting to relieve their stress, it is important that every pet owner takes precautions to protect their pets from electrical hazards so they can keep bringing joy to our lives for years.
Ask an Electrician Near You
Bratcher Electric in Wayne works to make sure the electrical services in your home are up to date, up to code, and operating efficiently. Our customer’s safety is at the top of our list, so if you have questions or concerns about the electrical work in your home, contact us any time and speak to an experienced electrician, Free!