Pet Fire Safety: Have a Plan for Your Pets

Pet Fire Safety : Have a Plan for Your Pets

July 15^th was National Pet Fire Safety Day.  About 40,000 pets die in house fires each year.  Fires in the home can be devastating to families and to pets.  While no one wants to think about the possibility of a fire destroying their home, it makes sense to have a plan in place just in case, and that should include your pets.  Here are some tips for making sure pets don’t accidentally start fires and for increasing the chance of rescue in the event of a fire in your home.

First, make sure pets aren’t responsible for accidentally starting a fire.  Keep pets away from open flames like candles and fireplaces and monitor pets around grills and stovetops.  Pets may accidentally knock over candles or hot pans on a stove causing a fire.  Never leave candles burning unattended and make sure you supervise pets in the kitchen and turn off all stoves and appliances if you are not home.  It may also be helpful to fireproof your home. Make sure dogs and cats cannot chew on electrical cords and that cords and wires are secured to prevent things like lamps or electric heaters from being knocked over by pets.  Consider covers for stove burners and knobs to prevent accidents.

Of course, everyone should have one or more working smoke detectors in their homes. These save not only people, but also pets from fires.  Check smoke detectors periodically to ensure they are working and replace batteries once a year. 

Use pet alert stickers on windows to alert firefighters and emergency personnel that there are pets in the home.  While rescuers may not risk their lives to specifically go back in to save a pet, they may be able to do something if they know pets are present.  List the names or number of pets and your phone number on the rescue alert sticker or window cling.  NEVER RISK YOUR OWN LIFE TO RE-ENTER A BURNING BUILDING FOR YOUR PET! Please be safe and alert firefighters if your pet is still inside.

Microchip your pet! If pets are rescued from or escape during a fire, a microchip may help reunite you and your pet if you are separated during a fire or other emergency.  July is also pet loss awareness month.  Microchips are the best form of permanent identification a pet can have and the very best way to get lost pets back to their owners.

Consider keeping pets confined near entrances/exits in the home if they are crated and keep leashes, pet carriers or a blanket near doors.  If a leash or carrier is easy to grab during an emergency, it may facilitate getting your pets out safely and save precious time during any kind of emergency evacuation.  Consider keeping a small pet emergency kit close by or in your car as well and keep contact numbers for your vet or area shelters handy.

Create a fire safety evacuation plan for your family that includes your pets and practice safely getting out of the home with your pet if practical.  The more you can plan for and anticipate, the better the chance you have of escaping a fire or other emergency and the better the chance of saving pets in these situations as well.

Doing your part with limiting access to open flames and electrical equipment to prevent pets from starting fires, microchipping your pet and having an emergency evacuation plan can all help keep your pets safe in the event of a fire.

This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.

https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/pet-owner-resources/pet-fire-safety-tips-handout/

https://www.aspca.org/news/fire-safety-and-your-pets-keeping-them-safe-unexpected