Pets and Fire
Make your pets part of your plan
Pets, like small children, are curious and sometimes mischievous. While they don’t mean to get into trouble, it can happen. It’s up to us to make sure our homes are safe for our pets – especially if they’re left alone while their humans are at work and school.
The National Fire Protection Association estimates that nearly 1,000 house fires each year are accidentally started by pets.
Here’s a checklist for all you pet owners out there!
Extinguish open flames
Pets are generally 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. If dismantling your stove won’t work, how about keeping your pet out of the kitchen.
Consider Flameless Candles
These candles take the danger out of your pet knocking over a candle. Cats and dogs are notorious for starting fires when their tails turn over lit candles.
Keep pets near entrances when away from home
Keep collars on pets and leashes at the ready in case firefighters need to rescue your pet. When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.
Secure Young Pets
Keep young pets confined and away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home. Crates and/or baby gates work well for dogs. Keep your kittens in one room where they have access to water, food and a litter box.
Beware of glass water bowls on wooden decks
Sun rays when filtered through glass and water can heat and ignite the wooden deck beneath it.
Affix a pet alert window cling sign and write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window
This critical information tells rescuers there are pets inside, and how many.
Our friends at the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) will send you a free animal windows sticker for your home!
