In honor of #PetFireSafetyDay, we’re sharing some tips for keeping your pets at home safe and preventing the danger that house fires can pose to our furry friends. It’s very important for pet owners to plan ahead and include their pets in annual safety preparations.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) urges families to check smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and run through evacuation plans. “This type of preparation is vital for families in case of a house fire,” says Kim Ferris-Church, Manager of Humane Education here at Lollypop Farm. “The same holds true when it comes to the safety of our pets. Luckily, there are things you can do to prevent and prepare.
- Always extinguish open flames. It’s important to extinguish an open flame when you are no longer in the room, but it’s vital when you have a pet. Curious noses and troublesome tails can knock over candles. Let’s not forget how much cats enjoy knocking items off of shelves!
- Inspect and pet-proof your home. Be alert to loose electrical wires, appliances, and other hazards that are within your pet’s reach.
- Keep pets near the entrance of your home. Firefighters will more likely be able to rescue your pet if they can easily find them. Keeping them near the entrance while you are away can make it easier for them to find and remove your pet from the home in the instance of a fire.
- Utilize Pet Alert window clings. These static clings can be purchased at most pet supply stores, and they are critical to helping firefighters know the number of pets inside your home.
- Consider using a monitored alert service. Some smoke alarms are monitored to send you and the nearest fire station an alert in the event of a fire in your home.
While no one should ever go back in the home to rescue a pet once a fire has started, following these fire prevention tips and other provided by the NFPA can be critical to ensuring the safety of all of your family members, furry and otherwise.
