Puppies are naturally inquisitive little balls of fur, and they can get into just as much trouble as any active 2-year-old if given half a chance.

If your house is not properly prepared, a puppy’s high activity level and wild curiosity could lead to injury or even death.

Here are a few tips to make your home safer for your new arrival:

That’s shocking – Puppies love to chew, so make sure all electrical cords, computer lines and electrical devices are hidden or stored properly. Coating a cord with an anti-chewing paste or spray such as Bitter Apple can help discourage chewing.

Hot spots – Watch out for heaters, clothes irons, curling irons and the hot oven door when you open it. You don’t want your puppy to learn about burns the hard way.

It’s not a toy – It’s obvious to you that a plastic bag is no toy, but puppies love the crunchy sound and chewy texture. Keep things that can possibly contribute to suffocation out of your puppy’s reach.

But it fit yesterday – Large-breed puppies can grow very fast. Make sure your dog’s collar is snug but not too tight.

Killing with kindness – Never give turkey, chicken or other small, brittle bones to your dog. They can splinter and cause serious injury.

I could die for some chocolate – Chocolate contains theobromine, a powerful stimulant that is toxic to animals. Excess sweets of any kind also can cause diarrhea and vomiting.

What a killer house – That statement can be quite literal for puppies. Make sure all cleaning products are inaccessible to your pup. Bleach, ammonia, toilet cleaners, drain cleaners, oven cleaners and rat poisons can be deadly. Mice and rats that have died from over-the-counter poisons can be eaten by your puppy with dire effects. Some common houseplants are poisonous to your new dog. Philodendron, lilies, dieffenbachia, azalea, eucalyptus, elephant ear, spider plants and pyracantha are all poisonous. During the holidays, keep poinsettia, mistletoe and Christmas tree tinsel away from your pets. Personal-care items also can be dangerous. Sleeping pills, antihistamines, aspirin, acetaminophen and all sorts of creams and lotions can be lethal to a puppy.

There are dangers outside the house also. You might know that antifreeze is dangerous to your pets. It has a sweet taste that appeals to dogs. There now are safe antifreezes on the market that are just as effective as the old, dangerous formulas. Be aware that common lawn products also are quite dangerous. Keep your dog out of any areas that recently (within three or four days) have been fertilized or treated for weeds. Remember that your puppy’s mouth and nose are much closer to the ground than yours and will come into contact with every chemical you put on your lawn.

Taking a dip – Keep swimming pools and hot tubs safely covered. Many pets have been known to drown in these. No one needs a tragedy like that.

What a big mouth – Follow this rule of thumb: Anything that will fit into your puppy’s mouth eventually will end up there. Take care of string, coins, ribbons, rubber bands, balloons, sewing supplies, small game pieces, paper clips, pens and pencils, fishing supplies and small balls. These are things that might find their way through your puppy’s digestive system but might need to be surgically removed if things don’t “come out right.”

Julie Winkelman is a certified pet dog trainer and a certified dog trainer. Reach her at www.alphacanineacademy.com.