\n<\/p>\n
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) \u2013 Halloween is in just a couple of days, so it is important to make sure you are following all safety tips, including with your pets.<\/p>\n
Halloween Happenings: Forest Park\u2019s \u201cPumpkin Stroll After Dark\u201d <\/a><\/p>\n If you have already figured out what your costume is going to be and your plans, you need to think about how to keep your furry friend safe on Halloween night.<\/p>\n The\u00a0American Veterinary Medical Association<\/a>\u00a0has provided tips on how you reduce the risk of your pet being hurt, poisoned, or lost on Halloween.<\/p>\n Do not feed pets Halloween treats<\/strong>: Raisins can cause your pet\u2019s kidneys to fail, and candy may contain substances that are toxic to pets, like chocolate or xylitol, which is a common sugar substitute found in sugar-free candies and gum. Often, you won\u2019t be able to tell what a treat or piece of candy contains just by looking at it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Make sure your pets have identification<\/strong>, such as a microchip, collar, and ID tag, that will make it easy for someone to contact you and return them home in case they escape through an open door while you\u2019re distracted with trick-or-treaters.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Keep lit candles, jack-o-lanterns, and other Halloween decorations out of reach of pets.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Keep all human costume pieces away from pets, along with glow sticks, decorations, batteries, and other holiday items<\/strong>. When chewed, glow stick items can release liquid that tastes really bad and can make pets drool excessively or act strangely (though it isn\u2019t likely to be harmful). Other costume parts and decorations might cause choking, internal injury, or illness.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n If you plan to put a costume on your pet, make sure it follows these guidelines<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Fits properly and is comfortable<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Doesn\u2019t have any pieces that easily can be chewed off or cause choking<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Doesn\u2019t block your pet\u2019s sight, hearing, breathing, mouth, or movement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Take time before Halloween to get your pet accustomed to the costume<\/strong>. Never leave a costumed pet unsupervised.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n If your pet is wary of strangers or has a tendency to bite,\u00a0put them in a room away from the front door<\/strong>\u00a0during trick-or-treating hours, or provide them with a safe hiding place.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app<\/a> on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand.<\/em><\/p>\n Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/i><\/p>\nPet safety tips<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
Local News Headlines<\/h2>\n