A.  Energized Appliances – Is the appliance at your dog’s level?  Can your pet interact with it?  Might they chew on it?

 

 

B.  Anything that is energized, be mindful of the cord that is connected to the item and plugged into the receptacle – Where is it draped?  Can the dog pull the appliance off the counter or end table?  Can they chew on the cord?

 

 

C.  The use of extension cords – What extension cords do you have distributing power to appliances or to products in the home?  Does your dog have access to those cords?  Might they chew on those cords?  Proper application of the cord – don’t make the mistake of putting an extension cord under your rug to keep it from your pet.  You also create a new hazard because it is not rated for that and could over heat and ignite the carpet on fire.

D.  What is your backup plan?  What do you have in place for when things go wrong?  Two technical interruptors that are important are GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) and AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interruptors).  Those technologies will help reduce the likely hood of shock and electrical fires.  Nothing is full proof but we reduce the chances of harm by taking all of these precautions.