e >6PEOPLE Pet Hazards In The Home—SomeHidden Hazards May Surprise You (NAPSA)—If you knew how to hide these cords so they are not so accessible. e Lacerations and Bruising— dangerous the average home can be for a pet, you might consider making tracks to pet proof your Injuries from jumpingoff beds (for house. Many hidden dangers in the home go unnoticed until it’s too late. small dogs) and fighting with other animals are all too common. Food and Poison—Cats and Consider the dog that ate a standing nearby in the garage; the cat that was playing with a thread dogs may ingest varied toxic items, including insecticides, human medications, chocolate and pieces of dog toys and bones that it with a needle at the end; the bird that took flight in the house other hazards in the kitchen, poundof wire while the owner was laying on the table and swallowed maysplinter. Pet owners need to be aware of and tragically got mixed up with a including things commonly found ceiling fan; a cat that jumped into the clothes dryer. While these circumstances may seem uncommon, similar inci- dences happen all too often in householdsacross the nation. According to data just released by Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), claims have increased over the last few years. In 00 alone, Americans spent $18 billion on veterinary care for their dogs and in the trash can, such as coffee A few simple steps can help you avoid commonreasonsfor emergencyvisits to the veterinarian. director of veterinary marketing at Veterinary Pet Insurance, “Pets have become such anintegral part of the American household. Unfor- tunately, many people aren’t aware of the less publicized dan- gers in their homethat veterinari- ans see daily, harming pets. As a cats, and that doesn’t include care for exotic pets. Homeownersare familiar with veterinarian, I know many worst- antifreeze, rodent and snail baits VPI, the nation’s largest insurer of According to Dr. Aine McCarthy, electrical cords, especially during the holidays when extension cords are used for decorations. It is best some hazards in the home; they know about locking up the and being mindful of poisonous plants such aslilies, poinsettias and mistletoe, but learning more about less common hazards can help avoid sometragic scenarios. case scenarios could have been avoided.” According to claims data from pets, the greatest household threats are: e Electric shock—Chewing on grinds, old batteries and cigarette butts. Other hazardous items in the bathroom or linen closets include dietary supplements, nicotine gum, mothballs, soap and chemical cleaning agents. “Tt’s important for people to be aware of the hidden dangers around the exterior of their house as well,” says McCarthy. If you have a swimmingpool that stays full during the winter, she suggests teaching your dog where the steps are so they won't panic and drown should they fall or jumpin. Also, buy a self-closing door or gate to help thwart and protect the escape artist—your pet. Finally, make sure your pet is insured. No matter how much you prepare, expensive accidents are bound to happen. After all, pets
