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National Pet Safety Day!

Dottie the Fire Dog

Yea! It’s National Pet Safety Day! Hug your pet today.

When you and your (typically) four legged family member are done playing, think about the importance of a day like today. According to the United States Fire Administration, an estimated half million pets are affected annually by fires.

Develop a Plan for your Pet

It’s important to always be prepared and keep all family pets in mind. One iomportant step that will help protect your pets from the dangers of a fire can be found in your family escape plan. Include all of your pets! Here are six things you can do to integrate your four-footed family members into your plan:

  • Determine which family member will be responsible for each pet.
  • Know where your pets hide, as this may be the first place they go if there is a fire.
  • Plan to bring your pet’s carrier when you evacuate the house. It can be a safe and comforting place for your pet to be, especially when the fire truck arrives.
  • Put a Pet Alert window sticker on a door or window near the front with the number of pets you have in the house. You can find these at pet stores or shelters. It will help the rescue team know to look for your pets.
  • If you have to leave your home and go to a shelter, you will most likely not be able to bring your pets with you. Ask someone in your family or a friend in advance if they would be willing to keep your pets for you in case of an emergency.
  • Practice, practice, practice. It may seem silly, but running through the plan will help everyone feel more comfortable about what they need to do and will identify issues that are not clear or have not been well planned yet.

Don’t Let Your Pet Start a Fire

Pets can be the victims of a fire, but they can also be an unintentional cause. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that nearly 1,000 house fires each year are accidentally started by homeowners’ pets.
The American Kennel Club and ADT Security Services have joined forces to provide the following tips.

Keep Pets Away From 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.

Disable (or Remove) Knobs on Stoves

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.

Flameless Candles Are Safer

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 known for starting fires when their tails turn over lit candles.

Keep Your Pets in Easily Accessible Rooms When Away

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.

Use Crates or Baby Gates For 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.

Use a Pet Window Cling (Sign)

Write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets. Make sure to keep the number of pets listed on them updated.

It only takes a little bit of time to include your pets in your home evacuation plans and to minimize the fire hazards in your home.  MySafe:LA is always concerned about pets and their safety. Each of our classroom educational presentations includes important tips about keeping pets safe.

 

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