Keeping Your Pets Safe From Common Electrical Hazards

Pet Safety and Electrical Hazards

Your pet is your cherished companion, so it stands to reason you will go to great lengths to protect your furry friends. Like toddlers, pets tend to get into mischief, damaging your household belongings and posing a danger to themselves. Especially for kittens and puppies who don’t yet know the rules of the house, keeping your pets safe can seem like a full-time job.

One potential disaster waiting to happen is pets who decide to interact with your electrical equipment, such as outlets, cords, and appliances. Pets just don’t understand that these items can burn or shock them when tampered with, which means it’s up to you to take steps to protect them from deadly electricity consequences.

Pet safety is important overall, but one main part of it is keeping them safe from common electrical hazards around your home.

Exposed Cords

Exposed cords are seemingly everywhere, from computer cords under desks to lamp and TV cords. You can’t really avoid this, plus they’re well within the reach of pets, who are enticed to chew on them to relieve stress, separation anxiety, or boredom.

When chewed, cords can electrocute your pet, causing severe burns and even death. Shocks from cords may just give you a jolt, but for small animals with developing hearts and nervous systems, even the smallest jolt can seriously injure them.

Secure all cords with clips to tables and walls, place them under rugs, or cover them with plastic sleeves.

Hanging Cords

Pets love to play with hanging cords, especially cats. Hanging cords range from extension cords to drapery cords, to phone chargers hanging off your nightstand. You may think your cords are quite high up, but don’t forget that cats are wily and capable jumpers. Secure hanging cords with clips to walls so they don’t sway and entice cats to play.

Outlets

Curious pets may put their tongues in your outlets. When plugged-in cords are not flush with the outlet, your pet may lick the partially-exposed prongs and get a shock. Make sure all appliances are fully plugged into the wall outlets, and be completely flush. Unplug nightlights and appliances when not in use.

Computers and Clothes Dryers

Cats prefer to curl up around electrical equipment like dryers and computers because they are warm. But your pet could be injured by a short, frayed wires. Don’t let your pet nap on these cords or on electrical equipment. Relocate them safely to a window where sun streams in, for instance.

Bathroom Appliances

Bathrooms feature small, electric appliances (electric toothbrushes, curling irons, dryers, charging cell phones) that pets can knock into a tub or sink quite easily. If those items fall into standing water, they – or you -- could get shocked. Unplug bathroom appliances when not in use and install a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) within the outlet to prevent electricity from flowing when issues crop up.

Contact Braco Electrical and Contracting in Warrenton MO

From surge protection to GFCI installation, rely on our St. Louis MO electricians to ensure your home is pet-friendly when it comes to electricity. Contact us to book your free quote and consultation. Call us at 636-294-8562.