Pet Fire Safety

DEM Blogger

July 15, 2019

Pets are an important member of any family. July 15th is known as National Pet Fire Safety Day and has been dedicated to taking time to inform ourselves about how to keep pets safe in the event of a fire.  1,000 house fires in the United States each year are caused by pets. Be aware of the risk factors in your home and take preventative measures. 

Fire Prevention is the first step. Prevent problems before they become problems. 

Some precations to take:

• Reduce open flame exposure – Pets are curious and may try to investigate your unattended candles or fireplace. Opt instead for flameless candles or an enclosed fireplace to prevent an accidental knock or escaped ember from burning out of control.
• Put covers on or remove stove knobs and discourage climbing in the kitchen – An accidental nudge of a stove knob is the number one cause of house fires started by pets. 
• Secure loose wires – Pets may like to chew on wires and cords, but ensure that these items are out of reach from your pet, as they can lead to fires.
• Never put a glass bowl on a wooden porch – The sun’s rays can heat the bowl and cause a fire on your wooden deck. Opt instead for ceramic or stainless-steel dishes when outside.

Protect your pet:

• Talk with your family members to determine who is responsible for grabbing your pets and who should grab their supplies (food, medication, photo, leashes and carriers, medical records) during an emergency so you can reduce scrambling and redundancy when speed and efficiency are needed.
• Put a decal in your home’s front window indicating the number and type of pets you have – Providing this information can cut down on the time responders spend searching your home in the case of a fire.
• Make sure your pet’s updated contact information is reflected on their ID collar and in the microchip database – If your pet gets lost during a fire, this will help rescuers get him or her back to you.
• Know your pets’ hideaways and create ways for easy access to them in case of an emergency – It’s nice that your pet can get away if he or she wants to, but in an emergency, you need to be able to locate and extract your pet as quickly as possible.

Pets need some extra attention when it comes to being prepared. Take the time this National Pet Fires Safety Day to get prepared for an emergency.

Some content courtesy: American Humane Society