Safety Tips For Pet Owners Who Live In Apartments Or High-Rises
Pet-owners that live in apartments or upper-story dwellings need to pay special attention to some potential hazards that could be lurking around their homes. When you and your pet regularly use an elevator, stairs, or escalator, such as in an apartment building, there are some dangers hiding to be cognizant of. Be cautious and practice safety in these everyday situations to protect your pet from possible harm.
Some things pet-owners need to know when they live in a high-rise building include:
Elevator etiquette.
A particularly disturbing video clip surfaced recently online, which reminds pet owners of the importance of using elevator safety when coming in and out of an apartment. Any slack leash, loose clothing, or long scarves could pose a potential danger to you and your pet by becoming stuck in automatic elevator doors. Be sure that you have your pet's leash securely in hand, without any slack on the floor, before closing the elevator doors and proceeding.
Some other elevator safety tips include these:
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Use a short leash and keep it taut and in your hand at all times.
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Never let a dog near an elevator unaccompanied.
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Teach a dog where and how to sit when riding in an elevator; be sure this position is away from the automatic doors.
Stair safety.
Stairs can become treacherous for pets, particularly for those that are unaccustomed to using them. The best approach is to teach your pet how to use stairs from an early age, graduating from small doggy-steps to a full set of risers, before expecting the pet to be swift and efficient on stairways in your apartment building. Pets that hurry, have visual impairment, or that are older may risk falling on steep stairs, which frequently results in a broken pelvis for many dogs.
Escalator strategies.
Perhaps the biggest safety tip regarding using an escalator is to avoid it whenever possible! It is much easier, and safer, to teach a pet to use stairs or an elevator. If you must use an escalator, be sure to use a very short leash and do not allow it to touch or graze the steps of the escalator during use.
Don't get slack when bringing your pet in and out of your apartment, or when using stairs or elevators on a daily basis. These features can cause situations that put your pet at risk of harm if you fail to pay attention, and could potentially risk your own well-being also. Use these tips to keep your pet, and yourself, safe during routine trips in and out of the home.
Always be sure to look for pet friendly apartments if you have a pet.
