Don't forget the family pet when it comes to Halloween safety.  Here are our TOP FIVE HALLOWEEN PETPROOFING TIPS:

1. Death by Chocolate  or Xylitol®: Never let your pet eat chocolate or sugar-free gum with Xylitol®, no matter how much they might beg for it as it’s deadly to them in any amount.  In the event of a poisoning, call the ASCPA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.  (Store all candies, prescription drugs, cleaners, insecticides, rodenticides, garden products, chemicals in out of reach cabinets. Also be aware of which plants are poisonous.)
2. Dangerous Wrappers: Make sure everyone throws their candy wrappers in trash receptacle as wrappers, such as tin foil, can get stuck in your pet’s digestive tract and make them ill or even cause death. Make sure trash cans are covered and not accessible to pets. 
3. Beware of the Tail: Be strategic about where you place your lighted candles or Jack-O-Lanterns as the pet’s tail can knock over it over and create a fire or get burned. 
4. Costumes Can become Strangulation Hazards: Your pet will make it pretty clear if he’s not as excited about his costume as you are. So if he hates it, skip it.  Many pets will struggle to remove the costume and end up in a painful twisted mess.  So be sure to remove the pet’s costume when you are not there to supervise.  
5. From Dog to Werewolf:  A pet’s usual sweet and gentle temperament might change if trussed up in a costume and be more apt to bite or scratch due to being uncomfortable, scared and stressed. Some usually lovable dogs will attack a person in costume or mask so be sure to keep dogs away from costumed Trick-or-Treaters.  

Did you know you can call the Safety 1^st Pros to come to your home for an in-home PETPROOFING consultation? Our injury prevention experts will locate both obvious and hidden hazards and educate you about how to keep your pet safe from unintentional injury in your home.  We also install a host of pet safety devices (gates, locks, guards, wire covers, etc,) to help create a pet-safe home environment.  

Our team of Professional Childproofers at  Safety1st ProsSM wish you and yours a fun and safe Halloween! Kimberlee Mitchell is Child & Pet Safety Expert with Safety 1^st Pros Professional Home Childproofing Service (and Petproofing!)