The holiday season is also a peak time for Deerfield Beach dog bites. Part of the reason is because more people are visiting friends and family at their homes, and the added stress and bustle of the holiday season can put extra stress on pets and animals. If you have a dog or if you are visiting a home with pets, there are several things that you can do to avoid this common type of Deerfield Beach personal injury during the holidays:
1) If you have a dog, make sure that your dog is in good physical condition and is up to date on all their shots. A dog who is sick is more likely to bite and more likely to get agitated during the holidays. Take your dog to the vet before the holidays. Consider asking your vet how to keep your pet more calm during the holiday season.
2) Keep your home pet safe. Your pet is more likely to get into trouble if there are decorations and other interesting objects around the home that they can get into. Keep in mind that many holiday decorations are in fact unsafe for cats and dogs. Poinsettias and other seasonal shrubbery, for example, can make an animal sick if ingested. Tinsel and other decorations can also cause severe problems if an animal swallows them. Keep your decorations high enough so that your pet cannot get into them or find pet safe decorations for your home.
3) Find out which friends and family you are visiting have dogs and pets. This allows you to prepare. If you know that a friend has a large dog, for example, and you have small children, you may wish to speak to your friend before any holiday parties to make sure that there will be no risk of bites.
4) Use extra vigilance when it comes to children and pets. Children are often attracted to dogs and cats and may inadvertently tease them, leading the animal to bite. Children are also more likely to suffer severe or serious injuries from animal bites – including Deerfield Beach head injuries – because they are smaller and therefore more likely to be seriously injured. If pets are present, it is important to supervise children at all times or to separate pets and children so that the children cannot approach the dog or cat easily.
5) If you have a pet, consider locking it away in a separate part of the home when you are expecting company. This is often the simplest solution and ensures that your pet is not stressed out and does not get a chance to bite anyone. You can place your pet in a separate area of the house entirely – such as a basement – or in a separate room. Make sure your pet has enough food, water, toys, and a way of going to the bathroom. Check on your pet periodically during your holiday event. Provide your pet with extra attention before and after the party so that they feel less stress and anxiety.
If you’ve sustained a dog bite or other personal injury during the holiday season, the Flaxman Law Group will continue to be available for consultations. In fact, the phone lines at the Flaxman Law Group will continue to be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the holiday season. You can always call to set up a free, no obligation appointment to discuss your rights and options after an injury.