Pet Fire Safety

Pet Fire Safety

National Pet Fire Safety is recognized each year on 15 July. Having measures in place now in case of the unfortunate event of a fire can save both you and your pet. Below are some Pet Fire Safety Tips.

Fire Prevention

• Test smoke alarms regularly – Simply put: Smoke alarms save lives
• Having a romantic night in? Keep candles out of the reach of your pet. It only takes the stroke of a tail to knock a candle over for a fire to spread quickly. Never leave your pet unattended in a room with lit candles
• If you have an active coal fireplace, never leave the fire unattended with your pet about. Even assuming it will die out could be bad news as it doesn’t take much for a small spark from the embers to ignite a with carpet fibres and pet hair.
• Messy electrical wires? Your pet may see these as a chew toy – so keep your electrical wires tidy and covered up – it doesn’t take much for a bare wire spark into a fire
• In the summer months, use a plastic water bowl outside on desking. Using a glass water bowl will act as a magnifying glass with the sun’s rays and start a fire with the wood
• It doesn’t take much from a fire to spark for your stovetop. All it takes is for our curious cat or dog to turn the knob. Keep your pet from jumping up on kitchen surfaces.

Fire Safety Procedures

• Have an escape plan for both family and pets. Think about which is the best route to escape from any room in the home.
• When a dog or cat is scared, they tend to have a go-to hiding place to feel safe. Know these places as these may be where your pet could be hiding if a fire breaks out.
• Keep your pets microchip details up-to-date. If your pet manages to escape, fear could make the runaway – having your details correct will help you reunite with them
• If you have multiple pets in your family, assign each person a role of who looks after which animal. This will help ensure no pet gets left behind
• Practice fire drills with family and include your pet. Run scenarios of when you find them and practice leaving the front door open and calling for your pet.
• Have your dog’s leash stored next to the exits in your home. Having them there will help when evacuating and keeping your dog with you. Keep a carrier in a place with easy access.
• In the event of a real fire, there will be a lot of commotion going on. Firefighters, trucks, and lots of people will be around. Keep your pet securely away from the home, maybe see if a neighbour could have your pet until everything dies down.