Who doesn’t love having a pet roam around the house? These furry friends make great companions, bringing life, joy, and a bit of unpredictability to everyday life. With that said, extra precautions need to be taken, especially as the holidays start rolling in. With Halloween just around the corner, you might be using more electricity than normal. And with that, comes more electrical cords. Yikes! While some pets couldn’t care less about your glowing pumpkin or inflatable ghost on the lawn, others see it as an exciting new toy, begging to be tampered with. To protect your pet – and your spooky Halloween investments – here are 6 ways you can minimize electrical hazards this October:

1. Out of sight, out of mind

When it comes to your pet, there’s nothing more tempting than a dangling power cord in your living room. To prevent an unwanted and potentially fatal electrical shock from occurring, it’s a wise idea to tuck away any visible/ accessible electrical cords. You can use designated cord organizers to gather your wires into a bundle like these ones here. Or you can cover them with a thick plastic tubing to form a barrier between the electricity and your pets’ teeth.

2. Discourage cat-nap hotspots

Does your pet love to bask in the sun? While finding your cat or dog suntanning by a window is adorable (and Instagram worthy), there are some animal ‘hotspots’ you want to keep an eye out for. For example, many pets love to seek out warm areas behind dryers, television sets, computers, and more. While it may seem like a bright idea to your beloved animal, this is no safe place for daily naps. Steer your pets away from any electrical areas or block them off completely if needed. Electrical burns, fires, and shocks are not what a good nap makes.

3. Keep an eye out for electrical sockets

Our electrical contractors are constantly checking the safety of people’s sockets, as they are oftentimes overlooked. If your electrical sockets are getting some extra TLC this Halloween season, be sure you’re doing so safely. Whether it’s orange and black holiday lights, a smoke machine, or just your everyday vacuum cleaner, ensure all plug prongs are fully enclosed within the electrical socket. If not, you may have some curious noses and tongues poking around, with a painful electrical shock waiting to greet them. Also, remember to unplug cords when not in use. Not only will this lower your electrical bill, but it also keeps your cuddly friends safe.

4. Beware of portable heaters

As the leaves begin to fall, so do the temperatures in Vancouver. With winter right around the corner, you may be dusting off your portable heater to make your home warmer and cozier. When placing your space heater, be mindful of where you put it. It’s always wise to position it out of the way to prevent animals and people from tripping over it. It’s also important to unplug the heater when not in use to avoid electrical fires, overheating, and burns if your pets decide to get too close.

5. Electricity and water don’t mix

This may seem like a no-brainer but it’s worth mentioning. When plugging in your Halloween fanfare, keep it away from water. The last thing you need is for a case of the zoomies to turn into an electrical fire when your lanterns get knocked into the sink. This is true for any type of electrical device, from hair dryers to curling irons to cell phones. If you need extra electrical outlets installed for safe placement, our electrical contractors are here to help!

6. Maintain safe play areas

Pets love to play. So, it’s very important to have designated areas where they can explore freely. If you’re lucky enough to have a yard that’s safely fenced in or an area of your home with space to play, it’s important to keep these zones safe year-round. With that in mind, be careful of where you display your Halloween decorations and try to keep them out of your pets’ play zones. If this can’t be avoided, consider removing the items during play time or keep a careful eye on them to maintain electrical safety.

Need an Electrical Contractor to Pet-Proof Your Home?

The first step in protecting your pet from electrical hazards is ensuring your home’s electrical system is safe, up-to-code, and maintained. Our electrical contractors at BPM Electric can inspect your home’s electrical to give you – and your pet – the peace of mind you need this Halloween season. Contact our team today for a quote.