Who's setting off fireworks tonight?! ๐๐ฅ
Fireworks are a ton of fun but carry real risks that need to be taken seriously. If you plan on lighting some here's some tips to keep everyone in your community safe and happy.
โ 1. Never light fireworks in dry or windy conditions.
๐ฅ 2. Only use fireworks in wide open areas, away from flammable items such as trees, grasses, gas tanks, and wood.
๐ฆ 3. Keep a bucket of water or hose nearby.
๐ง 4. Children should never light fireworks themselves and need to be supervised closely at all times.
๐งฐ 5. Keep all unlit fireworks in a secure bag or container away from any source of fire until they are ready to be used.
๐ 6. Be considerate and let neighbours know if you're planning to set off fireworks. Aim to finish at a reasonable time.
๐ฑ 7. Keep pets comfortable and secure inside. The loud booms and flashing lights can easily scare them off.
๐ฎ 8. Avoid lighting off fireworks around farm animals and be aware of any newborns or elderly neighbours who may also be affected. If possible, change locations to somewhere that minimises any disturbances.
๐ฟ 9. Be a tidy Kiwi and let's work together to keep New Zealand beautiful! Clean up any any rubbish and leave your spot better than you found it.
โ ๏ธ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. โ ๏ธ
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
๐ The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50ยฐC in less than 15 minutes.
๐ Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
๐ This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
๐ It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you โค๏ธ
Worst Xmas ever?
There's a a lot of planning that goes into Christmas day and sometimes things just don't go to plan. But it can be a good thing - a family mishap or hilarious memory that you can laugh about in Christmases to come.
Whether you burnt the dinner or were stranded at an airport...
Share your Christmas mishaps below!