It’s usually fine to leave dogs at home alone, as long as it’s not for too long. As much as we might want to spend every minute with our beloved pups, it’s simply not realistic for most of us, and we’ll likely have to leave our dogs by themselves at least from time to time.
If you do need to leave your dog by themselves, it’s a good idea to dog-proof your house as much as you can before heading out, as accidents can still happen. There’s no harm in leaving some of the best dog toys in the open for your pup to play with, but it’s important to deal with more dangerous items.
One dog in the UK unwittingly caused a fire in the kitchen while home alone, after accidentally switching on the stove, the BBC reported. Firefighters rushed to a house in Oxfordshire after reports of a fire, and upon their arrival they found neighbors already there, administering CPR to the dog.
It’s thought that the pup accidentally activated the stove, which had a chip pan – used for making fries – on it at the time.
Fortunately, the dog is recovering and nobody else was harmed. However, the kitchen was destroyed. A representative for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said, "Fortunately for the owner, most of the bedroom doors were closed and protected the rooms from additional smoke damage.
"We can happily say the dog is at the vets on oxygen and should recover."
Of course, accidents can always happen and it’s impossible to cut out risk altogether. However, there are some things that you can do to make your kitchen safer for dogs. If you think that your dog might be able to reach the stove, a stove guard or knob covers are a great place to start!
Ensure that any sharp knives and other potentially dangerous utensils are out of reach, too, as well as anything that might be fragile or breakable, like glass. If you’re wondering how to puppy proof your house and yard, or you’d like to keep an older dog safe, this is a great step to take.
It’s important to store all cleaning products and other potentially lethal items out of reach or locked away. Why not try using childproof locks? And remember, your dog might lick surfaces like floors and counters, too, so it’s a good idea to use cleaning products that aren’t toxic for dogs where you can.
Similarly, it’s a good idea to keep any ‘human’ food that’s toxic for dogs out of reach. This goes for food in trash cans, too, so make sure any lids are secured tightly.
If you’re looking for more ways to keep your pets safe at home, whether they’re by themselves or you’re right there with them, why not take a look at these 32 easy ways to make your home more pet friendly?
