According to new research from CSA International, a global testing and certification organization, 60 percent of pet owners are concerned about their pet’s safety when leaving them alone in a house. Three in 10 Americans have either experienced or know someone who has experienced a holiday decorations-related accident with a pet that required a trip to the vet’s office.

While the types of accidents varied, it’s important to remember these CSA International holiday safety tips to help keep your pets and family safe.

* Cords are not chew toys: But, sometimes you can’t prevent your pet from sneaking a sniff. Carefully inspect holiday light strings yearly and discard any with frayed cords, cracked lamp holders or loose connections. Ensuring that all holiday decorations are in proper working order and all cords are fully insulated are important steps to avoiding electrical and fire hazards and keeping pets safe when you’re away.

* Up, up and away: When decorating a tree or other indoor areas, place breakable ornaments and electrical decorations up high to protect both small children and pets. It’s also important to keep potentially deadly ingestible items out of pets’ reach, such as chocolate, poinsettias, tinsel and colorful ornaments that may look like a ball or toy.

* Spot the mark to keep Spot safe: When purchasing light strings, extension cords or electrical decorations, look for a certification mark such as one from CSA International. This provides assurance that products are tested and certified to applicable standards for safety and performance.

* Fresh or fake, be safe: If you buy a real Christmas tree, make sure it’s fresh. Fresh trees are less likely to dry out and become a fire hazard. Artificial trees with electrical lights should have a certification mark on them and should be made of fire-resistant materials. Pet owners should tether their Christmas tree to a wall to avoid tipping.

* No sparks for Sparky: Whenever possible, protect family and pets from electric shock by connecting all outdoor lighting into receptacles protected by weatherproof ground fault circuit interrupters.

* Holiday time is battery time: Make the holidays your time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and other safety devices and replace batteries if needed.

* Cat and canine candle concerns: Don’t leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface, and keep away from combustibles. And if you leave the room, blow the candle out.

* Safe storage: After the holidays, wrap and store lights and decorations in their original packaging, as they likely contain manufacturer’s instructions on replacement bulbs and details for proper product use. Keep pets away from packages as well as your gift wrapping area. Swallowed string, ribbon, plastic, and even wrapping paper can lead to intestinal blockage and require a trip to the vet.

More tips for a safe holiday season that’s fun for you and your pets can be found at www.csaholiday.com.

The post Holiday Hazards to Avoid to Help Keep Pets Safe first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Fire Prevention Month in October is a good time for homeowners to make fire escape plans and take steps to prevent house fires. Every member of your family, from your youngest child to the oldest senior, can help to protect your home from fire and learn how to assist others in getting out in case a fire does occur.

Here are some actions you can take this fall to protect your house and family.

* Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Go through your entire house and make sure you put new Duracell CopperTop batteries in every detector. You should have a smoke detector on every floor in the house, as well as just outside of every bedroom.

“Installing a smoke detector is one of the strongest defenses for a family to prevent devastating fires and ensure loved ones are alerted and escape a potentially dangerous situation,” says Philip Stittleburg, chairman of the National Volunteer Fire Council. “A good habit to develop is to replace your batteries in your smoke detector every fall to ensure the detectors will work in the event there is a fire in your home.”

* Have your fireplace cleaned and inspected. Residue from previous fires can build up in the chimney, and if the conditions are right, catch on fire. Schedule a chimney cleaning every year if you plan to use your fireplace.

* Unplug holiday decorations when you’re away from the house or have gone to bed.

* If using space heaters in your home or garage, keep them at least three feet away from any objects, and don’t leave them running and unattended.

* With all the holiday cooking you’re bound to do, be sure to practice safe cooking methods. For instance, keep anything flammable away from the stove and oven, always roll up your sleeves when working around a hot range and never leave the kitchen unattended when cooking.

* Store lighters and matches out of reach of children and pets, and never leave a burning candle unattended.

* Establish escape routes for second story and higher rooms. You may need to purchase escape ladders that can be stored under the bed in case a family member would need to leave the house through the window.

* Organize a family escape plan. Put the plan down on paper, and then run through it several times so everyone – including your youngest children – knows exactly how they’re getting out of the house, and where they’re supposed to meet outside. Review this plan yearly.

All members of your family can work together to prevent fires. With a fire safety plan in mind, you’ll be able to enjoy the fall and winter months without worrying about your family’s safety.

The post Fire Safety Tips to Protect Your Family first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

The room that poses the most danger to seniors is the bathroom. The potential for slips and falls is greater in this part of the home – 75 percent of fall injuries occur in the bathroom — making it a good place to focus your renovation energy. Have you considered updating these parts of the bathroom?

Flooring
Hard floors are a hazard because even a small amount of moisture can make them very slick. Many people choose to install carpet because it does not lift or move like rugs can, plus it is warmer to walk on and softer if there is a fall.

Bathtub
Walk-in baths and showers like the ones from Premier  Care In Bathing are great for seniors who want to take baths or showers but don’t want to risk slipping and falling when stepping over the side of a tub or entering the shower. Look for features like a walk-in door, a powered bath lift, soothing hydrovescent therapy and easy-to-turn faucets.

Higher Toilet
These types of toilets sit higher off the floor so that users don’t have to bend their knees as much to get up and down.

Good Lighting
To help seniors see better, it’s important to have well-lit rooms and walkways so that it’s easy to get around all areas of the house, including the bathroom.

Now that you have a good idea of what types of things should be replaced to help keep seniors safe, it’s time to find the right company who can make the renovation process simple. It’s easy to get lost in the sea of options available, so here are some tips to help you find the right one for you.

Tip 1: Good reputation
Reputation means everything when picking out a company that specializes in bathroom updates for seniors. How long has the company been in business? What is their reputation? Can they provide you with references you can contact?

Tip 2: Quality products
A good bathroom renovation is an investment, and that’s why you want a product that works well and is long lasting. After going through a rigorous testing process, Premier Care walk-in baths and easy-access showers were commended as being easier to use and more accessible for people with arthritis by the Arthritis Foundation. These are the first baths and showers to ever receive this prestigious commendation. The company is also recognized as the official specialty bathing partner for AMVETS, the non-profit organization for American Veterans.

Tip 3: Free estimate
Avoid any company who will not send you educational materials such as brochures to review prior to purchase. Also avoid any company who will not come to your home to give you a free estimate on the cost of the renovation. An accurate cost estimate is impossible without seeing a bathroom in person. Premier Care always offers free in home consultations so you can ask questions, get a personalized estimate and a recommendation on the walk in-bath or shower that is perfect for you.

Tip 4: Specialized contractors
When updating a bathroom, it’s wise to choose a company that does it all. If they subcontract the work out, you may not get someone who has the necessary insight specifically needed for senior home design. Look for companies that do it all, from providing the best products to complete installation and renovation. Remember the work shouldn’t take too long either. Quality companies can do the work within a day or two and will work around your schedule.

With a few home improvements and modifications, seniors can stay safe at home and live independently for many years. For more information about walk-in baths, showers or ADA compliant sinks and toilets call (800) 313-1694 or visit premiercareonline.com.

The post How the Right Home Updates Help Seniors Age Well at Home first appeared on The How Do Gardener.