No fuss family-oriented Easter tips
Easter is a big deal for most families in Durban, no matter your culture or creed. Whether your traditions are centered around the school holidays, religious customs, or just relaxing with your family and friends, it is important to remain conscious of and prepare for potential dangers to your home, children or pets. Here are 8 no fuss family-oriented Easter tips.
1. Keep your outdoor beams armed and security gates locked if doors are being left open, especially if the kiddies are running amok outdoors hunting for Easter eggs. Don’t forget to arm your alarm system when you head out to visit family and friends.
2. Do not hide eggs near electrical outlets, plugs / light sockets, near security devices, glass, holes in the ground or in trees, or in thorny or potentially poisonous foliage.
3. Chocolate and Xylitol are poisonous to both dogs and cats. If your Easter traditions include egg hunts and baskets full of goodies, beware that some of these holiday staples might be dangerous for your pet’s health.
4. Keep track of how many eggs you hide and where you hide them. Whether real, plastic or chocolate, neither option will be healthy for your pet or local wildlife if they find and consume them accidentally later on.
5. Keep foil and plastic wrappers away from pets. These can be irresistible to playful cats and may cause an obstruction if consumed.
6. If your pets don’t handle crowds well but you were nominated to host all sorts of fun Easter activities at your house, put your dog in a safe and quiet area away from the guests, or put your cat in the bedroom with some food, water, a litter box and bedding. Your vet or local vet store will be able to prescribe calming medications should you require them.
7. Be vigilant of your kids spending a lot of time on the internet over the holidays. Teach them to be careful not to give out personal information when chatting or posting online. Parental controls are designed to help protect children from inappropriate content they may come across online.
8. Don’t forget the sunscreen! Autumn in Durban still boasts fantastic weather and families should not forego sunscreen if spending a considerable amount of time outdoors.