Top 10 Most Common Household Dangers to Pets

Pets of any age can be nosy, often getting into household items. However, puppies and kittens generally get into these mischievous situations most frequently, as they are young and prone to explore. Because pets often investigate the unknown by tasting or smelling, they may be putting themselves at risk, especially if they are licking or sniffing toxic products.

Unfortunately, your home contains many items that are detrimental to your furry friend’s health. To ensure your pet stays safe, you must first identify these harmful products. Here are the top 10 household dangers that could make your pet sick.

1. Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter, human-grade drugs are safe for human consumption only. Some people believe these products are safe for pets, but many are extremely dangerous. If your pet ingests anti-inflammatories, cold medicine, or vitamins, it may suffer from any of the following: diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, reduced appetite, increased urination, stomach ulcers, or kidney failure.

Additionally, most people store over-the-counter medications in purses or tote bags, as they often need them on the go. To ensure your pet can’t get into these toxins, you should be vigilant about where you put your bag when you get home. For example, instead of tossing it on the couch, you could hang it in a closet.

2. Prescription Drugs

To ensure you remember to take your prescription medications, you might store them in a weekly pill organizer and set them on your nightstand. While this scenario may work well for you, it could be hazardous for your pet. If your furry friend can jump, it can grab your pills and ingest them before you even know they’re missing.

Make sure you keep all medications in a drawer, cupboard, or medicine cabinet. If you’re afraid you’ll forget to take your prescription drug, try setting an alarm or leaving yourself a reminder note.

3. Household Cleaners

While pet-friendly cleaning products are relatively safe, other cleaning items can be detrimental to your pet’s health if you’re not careful when using them. Even if your pet doesn’t lick up a cleaning product, it may get remnants on its paws and ingest the product when cleaning itself. Therefore, it is best to put your pet in another room while mopping the floor, scrubbing a rug, or using any other harsh cleaner.

Instead of storing bleach, toilet bowl cleaner, and detergent in low cabinets, you should keep them in higher locations. Your four-legged friend (especially a dog) may pull one out and chew on the container, ultimately causing it to break. Ingestion symptoms range from drooling and vomiting to difficulty breathing and death. Prevention is the best solution to keep your pet safe.

4. Laundry Detergent Pods

Unfortunately, laundry detergent pods look appetizing to pets. If your pet bites a hole in the pod but you intervene directly, your furry friend should be fine. Simply flush its oral cavity and wash the soap off its fur.

If the chemical goes into your pet’s eye, the matter becomes more serious, as it can burn your pet’s cornea and cause an eye infection. You must flush its eye out with clean water and contact your vet immediately.

Lastly, if your pet eats the entire pod, you should seek help directly, as there is no cure. Your vet will treat the symptoms and keep your pet safe and comfortable with IV fluids and respiratory care while this toxicity passes out of its system.

5. Xylitol

Many human products contain xylitol, a sugar substitute. These include sugar-free gum, breath mints, and some baked goods. Although xylitol doesn’t seem to have the same dangerous effects on cats as it does on dogs, it’s good practice to keep it away from all pets.

When a dog ingests something that contains xylitol, the xylitol gets absorbed into its bloodstream quickly, rapidly releasing insulin. This process results in low blood sugar. A dog suffering from xylitol poisoning may become weak, have seizures, or stagger around. Depending on how much xylitol a dog has consumed, it can even become comatose in as little as 15 minutes.

6. Plants

Image URL: https://unsplash.com/photos/8ZELrodSvTc

Before buying plants for your home or yard, make sure you do your research, as many are toxic to cats and dogs. For instance, some lilies cause tremors or gastrointestinal issues. Sago palm and oleander are a little more dangerous, as they can trigger heart or liver failure in cats and dogs.

7. Chocolate

It turns out that chocolate isn’t only enticing to humans. Pets, especially dogs, also like it! Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical similar to caffeine, as well as caffeine, both of which are toxic to dogs. While ingestion is rarely fatal, it can cause indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, and a fast heart rate. More severe cases may result in heart failure or seizures.

8. Garden and Grass Treatment

Be careful when using products on your lawn, especially if your pet goes outside. Fertilizers and herbicides contain hazardous compounds that, when ingested, can cause mouth burns and gastrointestinal ailments.

Make sure you follow each product's guidelines and keep your pet off the lawn for the recommended amount of time. Consider putting up a dog barrier fence to keep your pet away from the affected area.

9. Electrical Wires

Unfortunately, wires resemble toys. So when your pet sees a cord, it may be tempted to play with it or chew on it, potentially leading to a dangerous outcome. Pets who get shocked may suffer from oral burns, a fast heart rate, muscle tremors, shortness of breath, or seizures.

The best course of action is to keep cables out of a pet’s reach. However, if you cannot move a cord, try to hide it behind furniture or block your pet’s ability to get to it. You can also try a deterrent spray, as it will make the cable much less appealing.

10. Coins

Finding loose change between the couch cushions or your pockets isn’t unusual. However, if you have a pet, you may want to gather this change and put it in a piggy bank, as some coins contain zinc, which is toxic to dogs, cats, and birds, and it can be lethal when ingested in large quantities. Zinc poisoning may cause a lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, liver damage, heart failure, or severe anemia. Additionally, loose coins present a choking hazard.

As a pet parent, it’s your responsibility to ensure your home is safe for your fur baby by putting everything away that’s hazardous to your pet’s health. Knowing your four-legged friend is always protected will give you peace of mind and allow your pet to have a long, healthy life.

The Five Best Apps to Use for Your Home

Searching through the major app stores can be an overwhelming experience. With over 800,000 apps just between Google and Apple, simply trying to separate the good from the bad becomes a full-time job. From the moment you hit the home screen of an app store, you are overrun with apps all claiming to be the “best” of their category. And, with more and more popping up every day, the app store is developing into a never-ending rabbit hole. Whether you’re looking to take on a new home improvement project or simply better your living conditions, we’ve found the best apps for the home.Color Capture by Benjamin MooreWe are surrounded by beautiful colors, so it’s about time that someone created Color Capture. Color Capture is an app that allows you to take a picture and match the colors in it to Benjamin Moore paint colors. If you find an advertisement or an invite that has a palette you love, the app will also match the palettes for you. You can also experiment with different color combinations to finally pick the perfect color palette for your bedroom. For anyone who doesn’t want to spend hours staring at paint chips next time they decide to spruce up their walls, this is the perfect app.HomeZadaThe home management app HomeZada is dedicated to helping homeowners get organized, save money, and protect and improve their home. The app offers a long list of helpful tools specifically for homeowners, including financial management tools, a digital home inventory creator, and management for your home maintenance deadlines, duties, and inspections.PinterestEveryone is familiar with Pinterest, but that’s because it really is an amazing app for fashion, project inspiration, home decor, and so much more. From self-improvement to interior design, surfing through Pinterest will provide you with much needed inspiration for every aspect of your life. And, when it comes to anything DIY, Pinterest is king. If you are feeling crafty, or entrepreneurial, hop on Pinterest and you’re sure to fuel your creativity.Belkin’s WeMo app (w/ WeMo Smart Plug)The WeMo app gives you complete control over anything you plug into a WeMo Smart Plug. Instead of having to replace all of your devices with new, expensive smart devices, WeMo lets you have full control over the devices that you already own. From coffee makers to lamps, anything that you can plug into an outlet can be turned into a smart device - simply plug it in and open the app to control it from anywhere. Forgot to turn off your coffee maker when you left for work? Open the app and turn it off - so simple! The app also gives you easy to understand reports on your energy usage and lets you create schedules, rules, and receive notifications.SleepIQ by Sleep NumberWhile you might not have thought much about smart beds, they are the future of sleep, and Sleep Number is leading that future. The Sleep Number smart beds are surprisingly affordable and feature built-in biometric sensors that record and analyze movement, breathing patterns, and heart rate. Then, the bed syncs with your SleepIQ app to provide personalized sleep reports and make adjustments aimed at improving your quality of sleep. More and more we’re realizing just how important sleep is to a healthy and happy life and just how sleep-deprived people are - so it is time that we start focusing on improving our sleep health.We’ve all spent hours searching the app store for a helpful home app just to use it for five minutes and realize its garbage. The app stores have become so crowded with thousands of useless apps that even the homepages are littered with 1-star apps. If you’re trying to find a useful app for the home, you can be sure that it will take you hours of trying and failing until you can finally find one. To prevent you from wasting your valuable time, we’ve done the research and found five of the most useful apps for the home. Whether you need help with a home project or you’re looking to turn your house into a smart home, use these five apps to turn your house into your dream home.  Guest Blogger-Elise Morgan  

Head Turning Home Interiors

When I think of Missoni I think of distinctive fluidity and motifs that transcend the spirit of time. Poetic multicolored extensions of luxury fabrics that have draped everyone from models, celebrities and myself a time or two. I’ve been a Missoni devotee for years and fondly remember trips to our local vintage store scavenging the racks in hopes of that one great find!  Established in 1953, sheer fortitude brought the once mom and pop knitwear shop in Italy to the global empire it is today. Missoni has been affectionately diversifying and growing prosperously far beyond their iconic and refined womenswear. Known for their instantly recognizable vibrant patterns I’ve been obsessed with the whimsicality of it all! Chevron, zigzag and vibrant patterns adorn Misson’s archives. Saturated with color their fabrics can alter a dwelling into an inviting and exhilarating experience. What some of you may not know is that they design equally fabulous home décor collections! They have been dominating in all segments and I love how they brought their infamous brand to the world of interiors! The fashion powerhouse has stayed true to their brand with their bold colors and contrasting prints. I wanted to share with you some of their new home décor pieces that has captivated me once again. Sit back and relish in the visual and tactile prints intertwined with great layers of colors and textures. The new energy is inescapable in the most satisfying way…       

Boring Nightstands Are Out!

A ring without a diamond and a beach without sand is like a bed without a nightstand. Without one, its beauty fades and silently begs for the other to return. In the past a nightstand was defined as a piece of furniture sold in two’s, was a fairly small boring table, and featured drawers. Thank goodness trends restyle and they have been transformed into an elegant focal point that can reflect your design aesthetic.

By your side when butterfly kisses softly close your lids to the awaking of a new day,  today I want to give these beauties the love and attention they deserve. I know it may be difficult to find a nightstand combo that has the look, function and scale you need. You may wish that there was some sort of algorithm on the internet that could ship you the perfect set. This is where I want to help. Below you’ll find a few of our past bedroom installations that will help inspire you. I have also incorporated a few bedside tables you can click on and purchase on your own. Creating a balanced look,  these bedside tables will make your sanctuary appear cleaner, more put together and stylish.

Having two different bedside tables can look stylish. Mixing elements is the key to mismatching utopia. Two different tables can give a room a more eclectic vibe. If you go for two different styles make sure there is a cohesiveness so that they don’t look too random or implausible.

     

You don't have room for 2 bedside tables!  No problem!! Choose 1 to go in the middle of like the bedroom below. Make sure to choose one with a little more storage space like a three-drawer table that allows for clutter-free storage.

  

Metal bedside tables can play many roles in a space. They can play the leading role with their unique details and large presence or stay quietly pretty while holding a great read and glass of wine.

An ode to modern architecture, the metal base side table demonstrates perfect simplicity and clarity of form.

   

AND lastly here are a few of my favorite standout bedside tables that can add a little interest to your bedroom space..

    Photo- Oly Studio

 Gabby Home- Sloan Waterfall Table

   

Wainscoting Hacks that Will Transform Your Dining Room

Blog By: ModernizePaneling has, over the years, developed a poor reputation within the interior design world, and many homeowners are reluctant to use it in an important place, such as a dining room. This low reputation, however, is largely a product of poor quality and terrible applications. Wainscoting, a paneling method that only partially covers a wall, is a superb approach to adding accents to a room. Wainscoting also allows homeowners to create subtle contrasts, such as pairing white panels against matte-colored paint work. With the right choices, we at Modernize believe wainscoting can provide a dining room with a classy accent.An Architectural LookPhoto: Via Modernize.comOne of the most popular styles of wainscoting employs a strongly architectural style. These types of wainscoting are reminiscent of Victorian-era plaster cast elements that were added to luxury homes. A newer generation of materials, however, allows these types of panels to be very durable, and they’re also easy to clean, making them ideal additions to any dining space.Raised PanelsNot every interior is compatible with a traditional look of luxury, but there is a type of wainscoting that’s suited to more modern styles. Raised panels look good, and they add a strong element of visual interest to otherwise plain walls. They’re a superb choice for homeowners who wish to create a contrast against plain interior walls.Wall PanelsWall panels are a more aggressive approach to deploying wainscoting within a dining room. They’re best utilized in rooms that have high ceilings, and they can be a clever way to break up the monotony of a large wall. They look glamorous, and they play nicely with accent features, such as chandeliers, that are popular in many dining areas. Wall panels can also be integrated with other features in a room, including doors, allowing a homeowner to hide those elements and reduce the attention that dining guests might pay them.Wainscoting is a detailed accent features, and homeowners should keep a few issues in mind when using it. As with many accents, it’s a good idea to only use wainscoting in spaces that are relatively simple and subtle. Wainscoting plays best with matte finishes and paint colors that are light or subtle. It also works nicely when stylistically integrated with other elements, such as large windows and doorways. 

This Is Not Your Grandmother's Wallpaper

Wallpaper, dear wallpaper how you have evolved over the years. Your fragile nature and influence has blossomed into an air of validity. Today's wallpaper can play a vital role in design and influencing the style of a room. It has the power to control the furnishings and overall feel of a room. It's the king to the castle, the drummer to the band, the lyrics to my favorite song. Wallpaper can be an excellent conversation starter to your dinner party or can help you project an air of confidence you've longed to acquire. Wallpaper can be used in small doses for a big design impact or in an entire room.

I have been on a quest to find a few of my favorite designs and I'd like to share a few with you today. Some are bold and unapologetic. In small doses they can be used in a powder bath, ceiling or the underside of a staircase. Covering a large wall or an entire room can certainly make a immense impact.  Regardless how you may use them, they are fun, make strong statements and are captivating in their own right. Wallpaper is  no longer passé, it's back with a vengeance and I love it!

 Pucker Up Buttercup by: York Wall Covering

The vintage portraits of women's faces transcends time and style.  A touch of red against a white backdrop enhances each alluring face . It's feminine, fun and a perfect blend of traditional and modern. I love the artists pen-and- ink style.

 Anemone-Shell by: Astek Wallcovering

The handmade designs are inspired by the sea and it's movement of the tides. Astek gives its clients a glimpse at life beneath the waves. I find their Submerged collection to be calming, tropical and fresh. They bring a sense of serenity and vastness to a space.

Montauk by: Schumacher

The craftsmanship has elevated when they created this wall covering. This luxurious textured  wallpaper is crafted entirely by hand using humanely gathered natural feathers. I can see how the love for this wallpaper may scare you, but used in the correct setting and home,it can be spectacular!

 Magnetic Woodland's by:  Sian Zeng

If I had a daughter her bedroom walls would have been draped in Sian's wallpaper. It embodies the look and feel of sweet innocence, tutus and rosy cheeks.  This playful wallpaper allows children to create their own mythical  stories. It encourages them to use their imaginations amongst the trees using an array of wondrous magnetic creatures and write-on speech bubbles. It can act as an ever changing piece of art as the magnetic buildings, flowers and characters are moved around by your loved ones in the most in magical of ways.

Beasley & Henley Surfs to #1 Position on Social Media Giant, Houzz.com

Exciting News!We are proud to announce that we have been rated the #1 Interior Design firm in Naples, Florida by users of Houzz.com.Our luxurious and innovative designs showcase our work, promote discussions and provide inspiration to the Houzz community, which I guess they really like, because we are #1 in the Naples, FL market.  Also, our rating in this area is ‘organic’ meaning it is not a paid listing. Check us out at www.Houzz.com/beasley-and-henley-interior-design.As you probably know, Houzz is a fast growing, photo-based social media web site. It has users in 94 countries, and boasts the largest database of design professionals and design ideas in the world. Frequented by home remodelers, builders, and decorating enthusiasts, Houzz touts itself as a transformative player in the $300 billion dollar remodel and design industry.Beasley & Henley has over 700 photos featured on Houzz which have been positively viewed by over 1,050,000 people around the world, posted to 13,000 user ‘IdeaBooks’ and garnered 500,000 impressions by the firm’s enthusiastic fans. We have been on Houzz for over a year and it is wildly successful. Everyone uses Houzz as a resource and we are proud to be ranked in the top spot in this environment of design heavyweights.In addition to displaying inspiring and creative photos of our design work, we attribute our success on Houzz to connecting with our amazing fans through project advice, assisting product information and providing design trend inspiration to the Houzz community. And,  it's a lot of fun!In addition to our #1 position on Houzz, we are killin' it up on  Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook as well.Are you a fan?   

Interior Designer Spotlight: Miles Redd -Icon and Inspiration

It's time for an interior designer spotlight!  Ladies and Gentlemen…Miles Redd.  Drawing on inspirations ranging from Richard Avedon fashion photographs to Rene Gruau illustrations, his style is bold, glamorous, elegant, colorful, and fearless.  My kind of style!

 Redd grew up in Atlanta and he began his design career in New York working for antiques dealer John Rosselli and later interior designer Bunny Williams.  In 1998 he opened his own Interior Design firm in New York and is now known for his quirky brand of cozy glamour.  He's been the Creative Director of Oscar De La Renta Home since 2003 and has been featured in countless magazines including Vogue, Elle Decor and Architectural Digest.  Redd was most recently honored as one of Architectural Digests "AD 100" in 2012, 2013, and 2014!

Drawing on inspirations ranging from Richard Avedon fashion photographs to Rene Gruau illustrations, his style is bold, glamourous, elegant, colorful, and fearless.  My kind of style!

As you can see, Miles Redd is not afraid of anything when it comes to style and expression.  What an iconic and influential interior designer. I'd say he's earned his spot in "AD 100" three years and counting!

TROY BEASLEY TO LEAD INSTITUTE OF CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE AND ART, FLORIDA CHAPTER

Troy Beasley shakes up Florida Chapter as the first Interior Designer to lead the groupBeasley & Henley Interior Design is pleased to announce the appointment of Design Principal Troy Beasley to the position of President for the Florida Chapter of the prestigious Institute of Classical Architecture and Art (ICAA).He has been involved with the celebrated group since 2000. He became a board member of the Florida Chapter and later served two years as Vice President. His current term as Florida Chapter President runs through 2015.Beasley is looking forward to leading the group in the coming years.“Our Florida chapter is incredible,” says Beasley. “We have a really talented group of people who have a passion for great architecture and classical design.”Beasley’s focus is to advance the ICAA’s main goal, which is increasing knowledge of the classical traditions in architecture, urbanism, and their allied arts. He will develop and enhance the exposure of classical art and the design in the community which includes design practitioners, students, and associated trades and vendors.The ICAA has 15 branches located throughout the United States. The Florida Chapter, founded in 2006, lists David Case, Cliff Duch and Geoffrey Mouen among its past presidents.  Members of the New York based group include such well known designers as Alexa Hampton and Bunny Williams and architects, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk and Robert AM Stern.A co-founder of Beasley & Henley Interior Designer, Beasley and his design tem are currently working on luxury residential and developer projects throughout Florida and the SouthEast US.  Beasley & Henley’s work can be seen throughout the US and overseas.  He is licensed by the Florida Board of Professional Regulation, member of ASID and invited speaker at The International Builder Show and the South East Builders Conference.---------------------------------------------------------------About the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art: As the nation’s leading organization dedicated to advancing the classical tradition in architecture, urbanism, and the allied arts, the Institute is a treasured resource for professionals, students, and the public at large. Education programs, travel opportunities, conferences, and lectures are offered at national headquarters in New York and fifteen chapters across the country, The Institute publishes the award-winning journal, The Classicist, and the widely acclaimed “Classical America Book Series in Art and Architecture.” For more information, please visit www.classicist.org.

Wayfinding - the Art of Urban Planning

Wayfinding…the art and design of finding your way aroundMany of us find our way in unfamiliar spaces with the help of Wayfinding Design.  Wayfinding is essentially how people orient themselves in space and navigate from place to place.  It’s finding the bathroom at a restaurant, the exit of a parking garage or your way through an amusement park.  We take a lot of this for granted but it wasn't also so. One of the major contributors to this simple notion of Wayfinding design and signage was the prominent American urban planner and theorist, Kevin A. Lynch. 

Wayfinding design isn’t always done well, but when it is you’ll take notice (and know where you’re going to).   The use of color tends to be bright with bold graphics to create a functional yet memorable space for the user.  Sometimes the simplest design can be the most effective.  Innovation, ingenuity and even psychology are all elements that go into producing exceptional wayfinding.