July 15 is National Pet Fire Safety Day
Safety & Awareness | July 1, 2018
Never risk your own safety!
Approximately a half million pets are affected by home fires each year. Here are some tips to help keep your pet safe and secure in the event of a home fire:
- Keep fire detectors throughout your home and replace batteries regularly.
- Pets should have their own disaster kit supplies including a leash, food, water, medication and a first aid kit. Supply kit should be kept near escape exit. Designate a short term secure location to keep your pet/s while the activity of firefighters and rescue services are on scene.
- Include your pet in your family emergency plan.
- Practice your escape route routinely and include your pet/s. Have a designated person assigned to each pet to escort her out and have someone assigned who will handle that pet in case the designated person is not home. Also, run an open access drill; in the event that you cannot locate your pet, leave the door that your pet regularly uses open and call him out.
- Train your dog to “speak” or bark and to come to you on command. In the event that you are unable to find or reach your pet, this may help you let firefighters know where your pet is or call them out once you’re safely out.
- While away from home, keep your pet confined to an area or room near an entryway to your home. Keep a collar on your pet with identification and a leash nearby. Be sure to let your neighbors know where your pet/s are kept while you are away so they may inform firefighters of how many pets you have and where they are located.
- Affix a pet alert window cling to a front window in your home. Be sure to include the number of pets that are in your home and keep this information updated.
- Arrange, in advance, for a safe place to stay for your pet in the event of an emergency, or if you must leave your home for an extended period of time.
It is estimated that Pets are responsible for accidentally starting about 1,000 home fires annually. Here are some tips to help avoid your pet accidentally starting a fire:
- Keep your pets away from open flames. Pets are curious and may be inclined to investigate cooking appliances, candles wood burners, and fireplaces. Whether curious or bumping/knocking tail into flame, your pet is a hazard near these items. Do not include your pet in these areas or activities. If you have a pet, you may consider investing in flameless candles that can easily be purchased in most home goods stores. Extinguish any open flames before leaving home.
- Remove or cover stove knobs while you are away from the stove. The stove is the primary piece of equipment involved in fires started by pets.
- Secure your pet away from wires and cords.
