Pets and Fire Safety: Are you prepared?
Did you know that pets cause about 1,000 house fires per year in the United States? Losing your home to a fire is terrible, but even worse is losing your furry loved ones at the same time. As a devoted pet parent, it’s important to maximize the likelihood of your pets never having to live through a fire disaster, and, if disaster does strike, you need to be prepared.
Steps to Help Prevent Your Pet From Starting a Fire
Do Not Leave Candles Unattended
The flickering of a candle flame can entice both cats and dogs to investigate. Regardless of how graceful your pet may be, it’s too easy for a candle to be knocked over.
Remove Stove Knobs
It’s easy for you to turn on and off your stovetop; that’s how they were designed. When mischievous dogs are wanting to inspect for crumbs it’s just as easy for them to turn on a burner.
Keep Wires Out of Reach
Do you have a grumpy kitty that wants to chew on something besides grass? Or how about a puppy that wants to put EVERYTHING in his/her mouth? Chewed wires are a fire hazard. Keep cords and cables out of sight and out of your loved one’s mouth.
Do Not Leave Space Heaters Unattended
It’s too easy to knock over a space heater. Your dog might be having a puppy dream and kick it over, or your cats might be running the race track and bang into it.
If there is an emergency, you’ll be glad that you prepared for it. Here are some steps to take in before disaster strikes:
Make an Emergency Plan That Includes Your Pets
Can you quickly grab leashes and carriers if a fire breaks out? Who is responsible for getting the cats out? What are you going to do to help your dog escape? If you and your family have a plan in place before an emergency, the chances of everyone making it out alive greatly increases.
Place a Cling on Doors and Windows
Firefighters can only save your pets if they know you have pets. Putting a window cling on each door, informing firefighters how many animals reside on the premises, give your pets a much better chance of getting rescued.
Update Microchip Info
Keeping your loved ones’ microchip information up to date will put the odds in your favor of being reunited.
Keep Smoke Alarms in Working Order
The sooner you know that your house is on fire, the more time you have to get everyone out safely. Test your alarms monthly, change batteries every year, and install new alarms every ten years.
During a Fire:
Grab Leashes and Carriers On the Way Out
Your dog and cats will be scared. Leashes and carriers will allow you to safely restrain your loved ones and keep them safe.
Leave Doors Open
If your dog or cat is hiding and you can’t get them out, leave the doors open as you leave the home. From outside the house, call them to you. Let firefighters arriving on scene know that your loved one is still inside.
My human family and I review our disaster plans once a year, at the beginning of the school year. We all sit down at the table and discuss if any changes are needed, who does what, and go over all the equipment that we would count on in an emergency. Our furry family will not be victims. I challenge you to prepare for a fire emergency, so that you can boldly say the same.
Are you prepared? Share your story with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram by tagging #MamaWalksDogs. Got ideas, suggestions, or wanna share your experience? Comment below!
With puppy and kitty love,
Lily the Dog Mama