Did you know? The National Fire Protection Association estimates that nearly 1,000 home fires each year are accidentally started by the homeowners’ pets. Having a fire plan in place and following small simple steps for safety can help aid in the prevention of these tragedies and keep you and your pets safe from harm in the event of a fire.
According to the American Kennel Club and ADT, the following tips are a few steps that can be used daily to help assist in prevention of fires caused by pets:
Extinguish Open Flames – Pets are curious and will investigate cooking appliances, candles, or even a fire in your fireplace. Ensure your pet is not left unattended around an open flame and make sure to thoroughly extinguish any open flame before leaving your home.
Remove Stove Knobs – Be sure to remove stove knobs or protect them with covers before leaving the house – a stove or cook top is the number one piece of equipment involved in your pet starting a fire.
Invest in Flameless Candles – These candles contain a light bulb rather than an open flame and take the danger out of your pet knocking over a candle. Cats are notorious for starting fires when their tails turn over lit candles.
Secure Young Pets – Keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home such as in crates or behind baby gates in secure areas.
In addition to these tips, having a family fire safety plan in place is important for both humans and their pets. For example:
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- mark windows containing pets and/or children so the fire department can easily recognize entry points with urgency,
- know the exit routes in case of emergency,
- ensure all smoke detectors are in working condition,
- have fire extinguishers in a commonly known location that is easily accessible,
- set up a meeting place outside the home in case of a fire.
These are all steps that could aid in saving your family’s life. For more information on setting up a fire safety plan or to order stickers for your home, visit https://www.aspca.org/news/fire-safety-and-your-pets-keeping-them-safe-unexpected or https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/pet-fire-safety.html.
If your pet has been through a traumatic event such as a fire, be sure to take them to the vet immediately, even if they do not appear to have any medical concerns. Smoke inhalation, thermal burns, chemical inhalation, and more, can cause lasting effects that don’t always appear right away. Call Four Paws Animal Hospital and Wellness Center at 540-898-5388 for more information!