by Kimberlee King

Created on: March 26, 2010   Last Updated: March 27, 2010

Making your home a safe environment is much like child proofing your home. It is important both to keep your new pet safe and to keep them from destroying your property. Follow these tips to make introducing a new pet to your home smooth and easy.

Every year the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center phone lines receive over 100,000 calls from frantic pet owners whose beloved pets have ingested pesticides, antifreeze, cleaning supplies, plants and other toxic chemicals. Veterinarians also handle several thousands of furry patients who have fallen out of windows or other equally dangerous mishaps. Conducting this quick safety check of your house and installing a few preventative measures can save your pet's life

Pet Proofing in the Garage-Even a minuscule amount of antifreeze can be fatal to your pet if swallowed so clean up any spills immediately and store out of reach along with any herbicides or pesticides.

Keep sharp yard tools such as rakes and hedge trimmers put up as well. Cats and kittens can't resist napping in the tire wells of your car so check them before you drive off. Get into the habit of honking your horn before starting off, your neighbors will think you're nuts but it could save your cat's life. Pet Proof the Kitchen by keeping cleaning products in cabinets. If you have an especially nosy and persistent pet install child-safety latches on the doors.

Immediately store or discard outside leftovers especially chicken bones which can cause serious harm to your pet if swallowed. Other no-no foods include chocolate which besides giving your dog a nasty case of diarrhea can cause a heart attack if too much is eaten, onions which cause anemia in dogs and raisins and grapes which if ingested in large amounts can cause kidney failure.

Pet Proof the Bathroom-Make sure the tub is always drained and keep the toilet lid down to prevent accidental drowning.

Never leave a hot curling area on the edge of the counter, birds have been known to mistake these for perches and have ended up badly burned. Keep medicines securely in medicine cabinets. A child-proof cap is no deterrent to a curious puppy that can easily chew it open.

Pet Proof Family areas- dangling window blind cords can easily strangle a playful pet; wrap them up near the top and secure with a rubber band.

Leave the tinsel off your Christmas tree, pets are frequent visitors at the veterinarian's during the holiday season with intestinal blockages from eating the tempting sparkly stuff.

Do your research on house plants and flowers some but not all of the varieties that are toxic to pets include Easter Lilies, Tiger Lillies, mistletoe, poinsettia, asparagus fern and schefflera. Pet proofing your house is akin to child proofing, use common sense and take a good look around to find these and many other dangers that your pets can get into, spending a little time pet proofing can save you heartache and vet bills later. Your pet needs and deserves a safe environment to live in.

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