Pet Fire Safety

2/12/2020 (Permalink)

Pet Fire Safety

While home fires are the most common disaster in the United States, they are also the most preventable. There are many reasons why a fire could start, but did you know that over 1,000 home fires a year are caused by a family pet?

While you may not have thought about this before, there are steps you can take to avoid issues arising:

Extinguish Open Flames- Pets are curious and will investigate cooking appliances and fires in your home. Do not leave an open flame with your pets near, and make sure to double check you have put out a flame before leaving your home.

Invest in Flameless Candles- Instead of a flame, these candles have a bulb. This takes the danger out of a curious nose, or a tail getting into the flame.

Secure Young Pets- When there is a flame or a hot surface, keep animals confined and away from the danger. You can do this in a crate, or even behind a baby gate.

Helping Firefighters:

Keep pets near entrances of the home, where firefighters can easily grab them in case of an emergency. Also, always have their leash near the house entrance.

Attach a “pet alert” sign to your front window with the number of pets inside. This can help the firefighters get in and out quickly, and efficiently.

Learn more at: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/pet-fire-safety.html