About National Pet Fire Safety Day
According to the American Fire Administration, house fires affect approximately 500,000 pets each year.
Make sure you know how you can keep your pets safe from fire dangers.
Keep Pets Away From Danger
Keep pets away from candles, lamps, space heaters and stoves. According to the American Red Cross, cats are notorious for starting fires when their tails turn over lit candles. Keep your pets safe from fire by keeping them three feet from stoves/ovens and heating appliances.
Pets may bump into, turn on, or knock over cooking equipment. Keep pets away from stoves and countertops, and other electrical devices that pose danger to you and your pets.
Some pets like to chew, especially young pets. Keep a watchful eye on pets and keep them away from electrical cords. If there is any damage, have the electrical cords checked by a professional.
Be Prepared
- Be sure you have plenty of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
- Check your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors regularly and change their batteries at least twice a year.
- Invest in monitored smoke detectors. Since pets are often home alone during the day, the best way to protect them, if a fire develops while you’re away, is by having smoke detectors that are connected to a monitoring center that will notify the fire department if a fire develops.
- Post stickers on your door and windows to alert firefighters that there are pets in the household. These stickers tell how many and what kind of animals live in your home. If you are not home during a fire, these stickers could save your pets’ lives.
- Make sure all of your pets wear a collar with identification tags and have a microchip implanted. Taking these precautions can avoid the heartache of a lost pet during these times of chaos.
- Create an evacuation plan for your family and pets. Make sure everyone in your family knows the escape routes.
- Keep leashes, pet carriers and treats by an exit. You will need these to help evacuate your pets during a fire.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard we try, we can’t prevent or predict every emergency, but what we can do is to be prepared. Being prepared is the best way you can improve your chances for a safe outcome.
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
