4 Tips to Keep Pets Safe From House Fires

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT

Do you think you’re ready for a house fire? What happens if you’re not at home and your pets are inside? Here are four tips to keep your pets safe from house fires.

A few years ago, I awoke from a dead sleep to a strange, loud beeping noise. It was one of our smoke detector alarms going off in a room at the other end of the house. I was the only adult in a house with two house cats.

Though it turned out to be a false alarm — activated by too much dust on the sensor — it was incredibly scary. I was solidly brought to reality of how ill-prepared I was to get my family and pets out to safety should there ever be a true house fire.

The most common disaster responded-to by the American Red Cross is home fires. It stands to reason that many of these fires would affect dogs, cats, or another companion animal inside.

It’s one of those subjects that can be easy to forget — home fire safety. After all, it’s not like house fires are nearly as common as they once were. But knowing what you would do, just in case, could very well mean the difference between life and death for your companion animals. Here are 4 tips to help protect your pet from fires:

1) Make a Formal Fire Escape Plan

Include your pets when drawing out your family’s fire escape route. And then, practice the evacuation plan with your pets in tow.

Have a set place, if possible, where your pet spends the night. This makes it easier to find your pets in a hurry.

Create a disaster kit specifically for your pets, with items that are pertinent to them. This would include feed and feed dishes, water bottles, treats, a collar and leash, any medications, and anything else that would be required should your pet need to leave home long-term.

Another idea is to have a safe place for your pet to stay, such as with a neighbor or friend, if you would need to leave your home. Emergency shelters may not accommodate pets.

Related:How To Prevent And Prepare For Fire Safety In Your Pet-Friendly Home

2) Affix aPet Alert Window Clingto a Front Window

Contact your local fire department for an emergency window cling to affix to one of your front windows where it would be easily seen by firefighters. Write the number of pets you have on the side of the window cling facing out. This information will alert firefighters that there are pets inside the building.

3) Keep Pets Near Entrances When Away From Home

While you’re away, whether short-term or long-term, and if your pet is remaining at home, have your pets kept near the front entrance of the house. This makes it easier for a firefighter to locate them if there is a fire, as the firefighter would enter the house through the front door first. A dog can be kept in a kennel, for example. A cat would do better if kept in a front room.

Also, keep collars on your pets when not at home and have leashes easy to locate right by the front door. For other animals that don’t leash well, keep an appropriate carrier at the ready near the entrance.

Some pet parents choose to invest in a home monitoring system specifically for pets. The monitoring center can then alert firefighters about pets in your home.

Related:Hot Dogs And Campfire Safety

4) Pet-Proof Your Home, Specifically for Fire Safety

For how curious our pets are, it’s not surprising that some house fires are inadvertently started by pets themselves. Cats, leaping onto kitchen counter, may accidentally turn on the gas stove. Dogs, bored while waiting for you to come home from work, may chew on power cords. While you step out for a second to check the mailbox, your curious pet may accidentally tip over the lit candle on your mantle. Of course, they don’t mean to — but the consequences can be dire.

Here are some quick tips to pet-proof your home, specifically keeping fire safety in mind:

    ADVERTISEMENT

    ADVERTISEMENT

    You May Like

    Expert Advice: Supplements and Diet For Senior Dogs

    Older dogs have specialized dietary needs. Sabine Contreras, Canine Care and Nutrition Consultant, knows just what to serve up to your senior dog to ensure h…
    Lending A Helping Paw: What’s Involved In Therapy Dog Training

    Does your pooch have the right stuff to make a difference and help people who need a furry friend the most? Then you should consider therapy dog training.
    5 Foods You Should Never Feed Your Cat

    It may look tasty to your kitty, but that doesn’t mean your cat should eat it! What your pet eats can have a big impact on his overall health, so it&rs…
    The Bear & The Rat Serve Up Cool Treats For Hot Dogs

    Free of wheat, corn and gluten, this summer, your dog will want to wrap his paws and his tongue around The Bear & The Rat Cool Treats For Dogs.
    Best Slow-Feeder Bowls

    Do you have a dog or cat that eats so quickly that they sometimes make themselves sick? If so, you’re not alone! This is a problem faced by many pet owners, including both dogs and cats. For some, it happens because your pet loves their food so much that they gobble down their meal out of excitement. For others, it’s a response to challenges in their past, eating their food as quickly as they can out of fear of it being taken away or stolen by another animal. Regardless of the reason, slowing your pet down is important. Not only can eating too fast make your pet feel ill, but it can lead to so
    Understanding Your Cat’s Heat Cycle

    If your kitty isn''t spayed, you can expect your female cat to go through heat cycles. Let''s talk about what it is and what to expect.
    Dorgi

    The Dorgi is a cross between a purebred Corgi and Dachshund. This crossbreed is intelligent, and it is usually easy to train.
    Black Lory

    The Black Lory is loved for its friendly and playful personality that contrasts their dark appearance. Learn more about the traits of this unique breed!
    Golden Rottie

    The friendly Golden Rottie is a fun-loving family dog that brings together the confident Rottweiler and the gentle Golden Retriever.
    How To Find The Right Dog Trainer For You And Your Dog

    What’s the right way to train a dog? A professional explains how and why finding right dog trainer is personal. I’ve worked in the industry for a…
    What I Did This Summer: Canine Canoe Adventure in Nova Scotia Part 3

    All good things must come to an end, including summer vacation. Kevin Roberts wraps up his canine canoe trip... until next year.
    Adoptable Dog of the Week-Jai

    Our Adoptable Dog of the Week is Jai, a 5 years old Australian Shepherd from Dodson, Montana. He is neutered, up to date on his shots, and housetrained.
    Broken, Schmoken! This Plucky Pooch Makes Lemonade Out of Lemons [Vide

    She may be little, but boy is she mighty! This itsy-bitsy puppy took a nasty spill, but do you think she let that stop her? Fat chance! Got a serious case of…
    LaPerm

    Elegant and athletic, the active LaPerm is also an excellent lap cat with an affectionate, gregarious, and inquisitive nature. They make superb family pets.
    American Eskimo Dog

    Compactly built and well balanced, you''ll find the American Eskimo Dog to be alert and friendly. Tt comes in three sizes: toy, miniature and standard.