I WOULD like to pass on a few words of wisdom for the festive season to pet owners.

Christmas decorations look lovely but can be a real danger.

Glass baubles can fall and shatter injuring delicate pads and tinsel can become caught in the throat and cause choking.

An artificial tree is safer, but if you do choose a real one and the room is not out of bounds to pets, make sure you vacuum around the base regularly to pick up fallen needles which can penetrate delicate paws causing infection.

And remember, puppies and kittens are likely to chew lower branches.

Keep any cables for tree lights out of their reach and buy only those decorations that will not shatter if dropped or become snagged by a curious claw.

For cats, a decorated Christmas tree can be in-house entertainment.

Remember too that festive plants such as holly, poinsettia, ivy and mistletoe are poisonous and should be kept well out of reach of pets. Christmas is a particularly exciting time for children, but don't let them play rough games with pets and drape them with tinsel. This could distress them and cause them to bite or lash out in fear.

Also remember, cracker snaps, party poppers and exploding corks can be terrifying to our pets.

Don't be tempted to over-indulge your pet with turkey -- a little is fine, but too much could make it sick.

If Christmas is going to be a busy, noisy time with plenty of parties and friends dropping in, remember your pet is not a "party animal" and a quiet room for it to retire to will be much appreciated.

And finally, please do not give a pet as a Christmas present.

It is a totally unsuitable time to bring a new pet into the household.

If a child asks for a pet for Christmas, why not buy them a book about caring for it as a present and buy the pet at a later date when they have had time to read about what is involved.

Josephine Harwood,

Moor Park Avenue, Bispham.

PS: May I once again thank you for printing my letters throughout the year and helping to promote responsible pet ownership and kindness to animals.

Thank you also for taking on the plight of elephants at Blackpool Zoo.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and all your staff at The Citizen a merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.