Fire Safety and Pets
We practice and discuss fire safety with our children, but we should also make sure we don’t forget about our pets. There are several factors that can make house fires especially dangerous for pets. We often have to leave our pets home alone, but this can make a house fire extremely dangerous for them. Pets will hide in the event of a fire, making them more difficult to evacuate. Our pets are part of the family and we should give them the best chance they can have in the event of a house fire.
1.Prevention: Pets are often curious about open flames, it is best to extinguish those unless under immediate supervision. (Or better yet, invest in flameless candles) Consider covers for your stove knobs, curious pets can start fires by messing with the knobs.
2.Escape plan: when making your fire escape plan at home, don’t forget to include your pets. Pets will instinctively try to hide during fires, so it is important to know their favorite hiding places.
Train your pets to come when called and practice this cue when you practice your escape plan. In the event of a fire please do not delay your escape or endanger yourself in order to rescue a pet
Help firefighters help your pets: crated pets are more easily evacuated if kept near a door. Keep collars and leashes readily available for firefighters. Put a pet alert window cling on your front window (don’t forget to keep the number of pets up to date)
What are firefighters doing to better assist your pets?
Firefighters all over the country are taking the time to learn general pet first aid and investing in oxygen masks that are made just for pets. These oxygen masks help the firefighters to ensure that they are giving the best care possible to pets that have suffered from smoke inhalation.
