Summer safety tips

• Never take a smouldering or lit barbecue into a tent, caravan or cabin. Even if you have finished cooking your barbecue should remain outside as it will still give off fumes and heat for some hours after use.
• Never use a barbecue inside to keep you warm.
• Never leave a lit barbecue unattended and fully extinguish before sleeping.
• Follow the manufactures instructions when using your BBQ.
• Familiarise yourself with the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness.  If you’re using a gas barbecue or gas camping equipment, follow these extra tips to help you stay safe:
  • Check that the appliance is in good working order, undamaged and that hoses are properly attached and undamaged. If in doubt get the hoses replaced or don’t use it.
  • Make sure the gas taps are turned off before changing the gas cylinder and do it in the open air.
  • Don’t over-tighten joints.
  • When you have finished cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before you turn off the barbecue controls – this means any gas in the pipeline will be used up.
  • Read the manufacturer’s instructions about how to check for gas escapes from hoses or pipework.

Pet owners are urged not to forget about our furry friends as the temperatures rise, here are some helpful tips:

• Never leave pets in cars, not even for just a few minutes with windows open. You may be delayed and temperatures can soar dangerously high in minutes, causing potentially fatal heatstroke.
• Don’t let pets sit out in strong sun, or leave hutches, runs or cages in direct sunlight. Make sure there is always access to shade.
• Never put your bird cage close to the window or in direct sunlight – the temperature can quickly soar.
• Make sure pets have access to plenty of clean, fresh water at all times and change water regularly throughout the day.
• Know the signs of heatstroke – excessive panting, extreme salivation, distress and collapse. If this happens, gradually cool your pet’s body temperature with cool (not cold) water, such as wrapping in water soaked towels that you change frequently and call your vet for further advice.
• If you have a long-haired pet, get their fur trimmed to prevent them from over-heating (however check with the groomer as this is not advised with certain breeds).
• If you must walk the dog, do it in the early morning or evening – before 8am and after 5pm is best - not only will this prevent them overheating in the midday sun, but hot road surfaces, pavements and sand can burn paws.
• Rabbits are prone to maggot infestations (known as flystrike) in the summer. Flies are attracted to dirty fur and lay their eggs, which hatch into maggots. To prevent this life-threatening condition, check a rabbit’s bottom at least twice daily for dirtiness and maggots. If you spot any maggots call your vet as soon as you can. If their bottom is dirty, clean it gently with a damp cloth.
• Food can go off very quickly in the heat, so discard any leftovers to avoid flies
• Put a nearly full plastic bottle of water into your freezer and then wrap it in a towel. Lie the bottle down by the side of your small furry pet’s cage, next to the sleeping area. It’s not a good idea to put the bottle in the cage as it can cause leaks and make the pet too cold. Put two in the freezer so you’ll always have one available.
• Take extra care if transporting pets in hot weather – keep windows open when the car is moving, but never let a dog put their head out of the car window. Travel during the coolest times of the day and never leave them in a parked car.
• Fishponds and aquaria can get very hot in the summer - check regularly and make sure the pond has a shaded area.

Never leave pets in cars, conservatories or caravans, even just for a short time with the windows open, as this makes little difference and you could be unexpectedly delayed. The temperature can soar dangerously high in just a few minutes, causing potentially fatal heatstroke. This happens when a pet is unable to regulate its normal body temperature and can lead to kidney failure and long term damage to other internal organs, and can eventually be fatal.

• With the weather warming up, many people will be stoking up their barbecues. But pet owners should take extra precautions to ensure their pets stay safe when the heat is on.
• Eating barbecue scraps can upset your pet’s stomach. Undercooked, unfamiliar or fatty food can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
• Make sure any leftover food and rubbish is properly thrown away in a lidded dustbin. A very common barbecue-related problem seen by PDSA vets is pets that have eaten corn on the cob cores. These can cause a serious blockage and have to be surgically removed.
• Lighter fluid contains hydrocarbons (derived from crude oil), which can prove fatal if ingested. So, keep it well out of reach.
• Playing around a barbecue can lead to severe burns, so pets should be kept well away from flames and burning embers.
• Pets can suffer from sunburn and heatstroke just like humans, so if you’re enjoying the sun ensure your four-legged friends have access to shade and plenty of fresh water. Special pet sun creams can be used on pets with white fur or damaged skin.
• Watch what you drink – make sure that glasses and drinks are not within reach of thirsty pets. Alcohol can be particularly hazardous for pets and glass bottles or cups can be easily knocked over and smash – so plastic cups are a much better option.

• Garden treatments and some of our most common plants and flowers can actually pose a serious poisoning risk to cats, dogs and other pets. But a little extra vigilance will ensure that any hazards are kept well out of reach of prying paws.
• Certain plants such as daffodils, lilies, laburnum, cherry laurel, castor oil bush and yew are highly toxic to pets and can even be fatal, so make sure you know the dangers. Members of the onion family will also give pets a poorly tummy if eaten. It’s best to keep these plants out of areas where pets have free access, and check before planting anything new.
• Many pesticides and herbicides can be harmful to pets and other animals, including slug pellets, weedkillers and bug sprays. Try safer alternatives, such as pet-friendly slug pellets if possible. If you need to use chemicals then always read and follow the instructions, and keep pets away from treated areas for the recommended period. Store any chemicals securely and out of reach.
• Broken bottles and sharp stones are obvious hazards, but seemingly harmless objects left lying around can also cause injuries. Cats are always curious and will tend to investigate anything that smells interesting (such as bins with food remains in), whereas dogs are liable to swallow anything that captures their attention! Check regularly for potential hazards and remove these.
• Cocoa shell mulches – these contain high levels of theobromine, a chemical that is highly toxic to pets. Just a few mouthfuls of mulch could kill a Cocker Spaniel! Avoid these where possible or keep pets away from areas where these are used.

Make sure your cat or dog has constant access to clean, fresh drinking water – check dishes twice a day and take plenty of water if you go out.

Don’t let pets sit out in strong sunshine for too long, and ensure they always have access to shade. To avoid sunburn use pet sunblock to protect pets with pale or thin fur, particularly on hairless areas such as dogs’ noses and cats’ ear tips. Avoid walking dogs in the midday heat and instead go out in the morning and evening when it is cooler. Keep your pet’s hair short to help them keep cool – getting dogs clipped for summer can make a big difference.

Signs of heatstroke in cats and dogs include excessive panting, extreme salivation, distress and collapse. The recommended treatment for heat stroke is to get the pet’s temperature down by immersing the patient in cool, but not ice cold, water and gradually decreasing the water temperature. Don’t throw icy water over them, as this decreases their temperature too quickly. Alternatively put water soaked towels over your pet and place them near to a cooling fan. Make sure they have as much cold water to drink as wanted, and vigorously massage the legs to help maintain the blood flow. You should also take your pet to your vet, even if they seem to have made a full recovery, in case there is any long-term damage.

Rabbits and guinea pigs are very vulnerable to heatstroke, so it is essential that they have access to shade. The entire roof of a hutch must be solid for shade and safety, and the exercise run should also have a covered area. If the weather gets very warm, move their hutch and run in to a shaded area to protect them, remembering that the sun will move during the course of the day. Never house rabbits or guinea pigs in glass buildings, such as greenhouses.

Always make sure your pets’ bottle is topped up with fresh water to help prevent overheating. Leaving a glass coffee jar filled with ice cubes will give your rabbits something cool to lie against in hot weather.

Signs of heat stroke include lethargy, drooling and shallow rapid breathing. As the condition worsens, they may fit, which increases their body temperature further. Eventually, the condition can progress to death. Heat stroke can occur when guinea pigs are exposed to temperatures above 28°C, but effects may be seen when temperatures are as low as 21°C, especially in obese, stressed or pregnant individuals.

If you are concerned that your pet may be showing signs of heat stroke, wrap them in a cool, damp towel and take them away from direct sunlight before calling your vet straight away.

Rabbits can also be prone to maggot infestations (known as flystrike) in the summer, so should be checked twice a day. If they have a dirty bottom, clean it with a damp cloth, and if you spot any signs of flystrike, call your vet for advice immediately as this can often be fatal.

Cages should be positioned out of direct sunlight and moved away from places that are likely to become hot. Always make sure your pets’ bottle is topped up with fresh water to help prevent overheating.

As with guinea pigs and rabbits, signs of possible heat stroke include lethargy, drooling and unconsciousness. It is much better to prevent the condition in the first place, but if you suspect heat stroke, wrap your pet in a cool, damp cloth and call your vet for advice.

Particular care needs to be taken if transporting small pets in a car in hot weather, e.g. to a vet’s appointment. Keep windows open when the car is moving and never leave them in a parked car, even with the windows down or if it seems cloudy outside – temperatures can rise very quickly.

Make sure fish tanks are kept in cool areas to prevent overheating and keep an eye on the temperature. 

Fishponds should have shaded areas, plus deeper areas, to enable fish to stick to cooler waters in the hot weather.