Is Your Home Fire Safe for Your Pet?

National Pet Fire Safety Day on July 15th is the perfect time to make sure your home’s fire safety plan includes getting your pets to safety, as well as the people, in the event of a fire. Taking preventable measures can protect your home, your family, and your pets in an emergency situation. Many times our pets are the cause of a fire when we don’t take these precautions.

PET FIRE SAFETY TIPS:

• Extinguish open flames. Wagging tails and curious kitties can haphazardly knock over candles. Consider using flameless candles.
  
  
• Remove knobs from the stove when not in use. Dogs may jump on the stove and accidentally turn a knob with their paw without anyone realizing it.
  
  
• Use plastic or metal water bowls, not glass for outside. Glass can actually heat up from the sun to the point of starting a fire.
  
  
• Keep leashes, collars, cages, and carriers close to the exit(s) on your fire escape route plan. That way you have a better chance of grabbing them as you exit the home with your animal. Garage’s tend to be a good spot.
  
  
• Fire can happen when you aren’t home to rescue your pet- so you need to have a plan just in case this happens: First, take them to a kennel or family member’s if you plan to be gone for an extended period of time. If you don’t have that option, or aren’t going to be gone long, then make sure your pets are secured in the main living area- this is where firefighters will look for them first (or that you have fire alert window clings, see next).
  
  
• Purchase and place fire alert window clings to help firefighters identify how many pets are in the home and the rooms they may be residing in (if your pooch prefers your bedroom to hang out in, cling it to your bedroom window- because it is likely that’s where they will be). Put your phone number on them as well.
  
  
• Determine which family member is responsible for which pet in the event of a fire.
  
  
• Go over these plans and practice getting you and your pets out of your home to safety!
  
  

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