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Warmer weather means more time spent outdoors. Here are some tips to keep your pets and children safe from common outdoor hazards.
Yards
If you have a yard, keep these safety tips in mind:
Playgrounds — Make sure play areas are located in an area you can see from inside the house, so you can keep an eye on your kids. Check playhouses periodically for breaks or loose pieces.
Fences — Make sure fences are tall enough to keep a pet or child from jumping or climbing over it. Cover railings with plastic fencing or shade cloth.
Yards — Consider switching to natural, non-toxic lawn and garden products to avoid poisoning children and pets. Keep lawns trimmed and free of household items or hazards.
Plants — Plants known to be toxic to pets include amaryllis, cycads, lilies, tulips, California ivy and chrysanthemums. Plants known to be toxic to humans include amaryllis, castor plants, mushrooms, oleander, pacific poison oak and water hemlock.
There are many other plants not listed that could be harmful to your pets and children. It’s best to either:
wear gloves and remove unknown plants; or
fence off large areas where unknown or toxic plants are growing.
If you think a pet or child has ingested a poisonous substance, immediately contact your veterinarian, your doctor or call the California Poison Control System at 1-800-222-1222 or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 1-888 426-4435.
Your Pool
If you have a pool, it’s crucial to have one of these safety devices in place:
Pool alarm systems — Alarms include infrared motion sensors, underwater motion alarms, personal immersion detectors and surface motion alarms that alert pool owners when there is a breach or intrusion of the pool.
Pool covers — Rigid pool covers protect animals and children from falling in. Pool covers also come in vinyl, mesh or tarp-like materials.
Pool gates — Gates prevent pets and children from getting near the water unattended. Some gates have sensors and sound when the gate is opened.
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