Last Updated: February 11. 2011 1:00AM Martha Stewart: Living

Dogs and cats are curious creatures. While that quality often makes us laugh, it can sometimes have disastrous consequences. Certain household items are dangerous — or even fatal — to animals. Accidents can occur no matter how careful you are. And they always seem to happen at midnight, when help is hard to find. Be prepared with contact information for your veterinarian, the nearest animal emergency room, and, in the U.S., the 24-hour ASPCA Poison Control Center (888-426-4435). Here are several common hazards, as well as smart strategies for pet-proofing your home.

Antifreeze

Pets love the sweet taste of antifreeze (ethylene glycol), which they may encounter if it leaks in the garage or driveway. Yet just a teaspoon is all it takes to kill a 10-pound cat; one to two tablespoons are lethal to a 10-pound dog. If your pet ingests any, it may seem wobbly and unsteady, as well as nauseated and unusually thirsty. get it to the vet immediately — an antidote must be given within 12 hours, but sooner is better. of course, never let your pet near antifreeze, and if you spill some, clean it up right away and discard all paper towels and rags. You can use a less toxic form of antifreeze, propylene glycol. but even this is poisonous in large quantities.

Food

People food, that is. Don’t cave in to those adorable eyes when your pet is begging. “Some foods cause problems ranging from gastrointestinal issues to death,” says Diane Levitan, a veterinarian in Commack, N.Y. Chocolate, for example, contains a substance called theobromine, along with caffeine, which makes it toxic to dogs and cats. the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity and seizures. Pets also shouldn’t eat macadamia nuts, raw or undercooked meat, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, chives or rising bread dough.

Garbage

Pets that dig into the trash may find objects, such as bones, corncobs and broken glass, which can obstruct and tear the intestines. Moldy foods contain toxins that can cause muscle tremors and convulsions. Buy trash cans with tight lids, or keep them behind closed doors.

Household cleaners

Toilet-bowl cleaner has caustic chemicals that burn the mouth and esophageal lining, Levitan says. Flush the toilet multiple times after cleaning, and close the lid. Exposure to bleach and other harsh products can cause gastrointestinal distress, skin irritation and respiratory problems. Switch to nontoxic cleaners.

Houseplants

Cats in particular like nibbling on plants, but some are toxic. Ingesting even small amounts of Easter lilies, for instance, can cause kidney failure in cats. other dangerous plants include mistletoe, oleander, English ivy and tulip and narcissus bulbs. You can apply a deterrent to the plants, such as a bitter apple spray, but it’s safer to remove them from the house. for a list of safe and unsafe plants, visit aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants.

Medications

Over-the-counter and prescription medications for people top the list of pet poisons. not only do animals snatch pills from counters and nightstands, but they’re also quick to lap up medications dropped on the floor. According to the ASPCA, the most dangerous ones are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen), antidepressants, acetaminophen, methylphenidate, fluorouracil, isoniazid, pseudoephedrine (a decongestant), antidiabetics, vitamin D derivatives and baclofen. always keep medications in places that cats and dogs can’t access.

Bar soaps

Soap appeals to some pets, but the fats it contains could cause pancreatitis. Eating soap can also trigger vomiting and diarrhea. And scented versions may irritate the esophagus and mouth. keep bars out of reach, or close the bathroom door.

Toys

Small parts in children’s playthings can pose choking hazards and cause intestinal blockage in dogs and cats. but “pet toys can also be hazardous,” says Adam Goldfarb, director of the Pets at Risk program for the Humane Society of the United States. Be aware of how your pet plays — for instance, some dogs baby their stuffed animals, while others tear them apart and eat them. when you give your dog a new toy, supervise the first play sessions. If plush objects are problematic, give the dog tougher toys.

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Baclofen may just be the little pill that could prevent the deaths of the approximately two million people around the world who die from the effects of alcohol each year, according to the World Health Organization. Not to mention countless lost jobs and productivity hours, failed marriages and children born with defects.

Expect to hear a lot more about baclofen.

Or just ask Olivier Ameisen, M.D., cardiologist at New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical College, Légion d’Honneur medalist for his “contribution to the image of France abroad and to cardiology,” friend of Elie Wiesel and recovered alcoholic.

Despite running a thriving medical practice, he had become a binge drinker, notes The Guardian in a may 2010 profile, and by 1997 was regularly being admitted to the hospital. He tried the five As of alcohol treatment: Antabuse, antidepressants, acupuncture and Alcoholics Anonymous–plus hypnosis, Valium and yoga.

Along came baclofen. The anti-spasticity medication (brand names Kemstro and Lioresal) was earlier touted as an antidote for cocaine abusers in a study by the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute.

No medication is considered a “cure” by addiction experts, treatment centers such as Hazelden, self-help groups like AA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Most find or advocate that medication (in appropriate cases) plus substance abuse counseling coupled with a spiritual awakening can reduce or eliminate use.

But Dr. Ameisen, author of The End of my Addiction: how One Man Cured Himself of Alcoholism, says that baclofen, used off-label and in high doses, can cure all addictions, including alcohol, cocaine, heroin, smoking, bulimia and anorexia, compulsive shopping and gambling. It’s the muscle relaxant aspect of the medication. It loosens the hold of panic attacks and obsessive thinking.

The positive effects of baclofen on Dr. Ameisen were swift and specific: “It controlled my anxiety better than any of the standard anti-anxiety medications,” he told The Guardian. “It reduced my craving for alcohol and enabled me to remain abstinent for longer periods.” Eventually, “I was completely and effortlessly indifferent to it [alcohol].”

Dr. Ameisen is clearly a case of a highly motivated and engaged patient. the real test will be acceptance as part of treatment plans by the medical and substance abuse treatment communities.

Baclofen is slowly but surely gaining momentum and approval from the medical community. Dr. Ameisen’s proselytizing has built a network of believers among his fellow physicians, from notables at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to the McLean Hospital Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse of Harvard University.

In the most recent news from this month: A study out of Minnesota indicates that baclofen is effective in treating symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

What do you think? will baclofen become a standard part of addiction treatment plans? Or not? What’s the cutting edge in addiction treatment for next year?