One of the first things that you need to do when you get a new puppy is to make sure that they have a safe living environment. Puppy proofing a home not only involves removing potential hazards but also taking steps to protect your belongings. When getting your home and yard ready for your new pet, use these five tips to create a safe space:

1. Hide or protect any electrical cords. If there is one thing that puppies love to do, it is chew. They gnaw on just about anything that they can find, including electrical cords. Unfortunately, chewing on cords can cause burns and shocks. It also can create a fire hazard in your home. To prevent any problems, invest in inexpensive cord covers for your cords or tuck them away out of sight where your puppy can’t get to them.

2. Move any potentially dangerous items out of your puppy’s reach. This includes medications, poisonous houseplants, cleaning products, garden chemicals, and any other toxic substances. The ASPCA maintains a list of toxic houseplants so that you can check whether or not your plants are safe for your new puppy. If you aren’t sure, it is always best to err on the side of caution by moving the plant to a higher area that they can’t reach.

3. Safeguard your garbage. To a puppy, few things in your home are quite as enticing as your garbage. Filled with food scraps and all kinds of interesting smelling substances, they will gladly nose through the trash any time they get a chance. Not only can this create a huge mess but it also can be extremely dangerous for your puppy. Most household trash contains toxic substances, choking hazards, and other items that can injure your pet. To prevent any issues, keep your garbage in a safe, out-of-the-way location that your puppy can’t access.

4. Protect your furniture. Puppies are notorious for chewing on everything from furniture legs to couch cushions. If you have nice furniture, you should take steps to protect it. Try spraying bitter anti-chewing spray on the legs of the furniture to deter even the most determined puppy. Consider investing in blankets or furniture covers to protect the surfaces of your furniture, as well.

5. Prepare a safe outdoor space. If you are planning on letting your puppy play in your yard, you need to puppy-proof your outdoor space. Make sure the area is fully fenced, checking for any openings that your puppy could squeeze through. Remove any toxic plants from the space. If you live in a damp climate, check any shady areas for mushrooms since they are often poisonous. Create a shaded area where your puppy can get out of the sun if it gets too hot outside.

Puppy proofing a home takes a little bit of time. When you consider that the safety of your new puppy is at stake, however, it is well worth the effort. Creating a safe, comfortable place for your new pet is one of the most important things that you can do to ensure their long-term health and happiness.