Pets add lots of love and fun to your life, but they’re also a serious responsibility. As a pet owner, you have to take certain steps to protect your animal companion from harm. Electrical cables, house wiring, and common appliances can pose dangers to pets, but with the help of a licensed electrician, you can minimize these risks. Here are some tips for keeping pets safe from electricity.

How to Protect Pets From Electrical Hazards

1. Keep Them Away From Cords

Many pets like to chew on random items, but if they gnaw on electrical cords and cables, they could shock or burn themselves. Whenever possible, hide cables away from pets or cover cords with plastic piping. Make sure pets have their own toys to chew, and deter them from nibbling on inappropriate items by coating the surfaces with lemon juice, vinegar, or hot sauce.

2. Be Cautious About Water

It’s all too easy for an excited or clumsy pet to knock a toaster into the kitchen sink or a hair dryer into the bathtub, so keep all electrical devices far from water sources. For added safety, make sure the animals always have their own fresh water so they won’t seek it from potentially dangerous places. Fish tanks can also be very tempting for pets, especially cats; if you have an aquarium, secure it so that the house wiring won’t be exposed to accidental splashes or spills.

3. Take Care With Outlets

There is a lot of voltage running through house wiring, and you don’t want an inquisitive tongue or a wet nose to come in contact with an electrical outlet. When plugging anything into an outlet, make sure the plug goes all the way into the socket so no prongs are exposed. An electrician can advise you about devices that can be installed to protect outlets from curious pets.

McAtlin Electrical Corporation is an experienced electrical contractor serving Grand Junction, CO, and the surrounding areas. Whether you need a residential electrician to perform a house wiring job, or you’re looking for a commercial electrician who can handle directional boring for your business, their licensed, bonded, and insured team does it all. Call (970) 257-7414 today to discuss your electrical needs, or visit their website to learn more about their services.