Pet Fire Safety

Today, July 15th, is Pet Fire Safety Day. Fires are one of the most dangerous and terrifying emergency situations you can find yourself in. They can happen at any time, and often start unexpectedly, like the crockpot catching fire on This Is Us. However, for people with pets, there are some specific risks and considerations to keep in mind. An Edison Park, FL vet goes over a few of them in this article.

Prevention

As the saying says, an ounce of prevention is worth several pounds of cure. Keep pets well away from anything that could present a possible fire hazard. Candles are at the top of that list. The safest option here would be the battery-operated ones. If you want to use real ones, keep them in thick jars, and burn them on sturdy surfaces that are well out of your pet’s reach. If your furry pal has a chewing habit, make sure they can’t get to any electrical wires. We’d also recommend keeping your fuzzy friends away from things like space heaters, fireplaces, grills, and, of course, stoves. Finally, consider getting a monitored alarm system. This is a great safety precaution!

Preparation

Planning is a big part of fire safety. Your entire household should have a solid emergency plan. That entails things like making sure that exits aren’t blocked off, and also setting up meeting places and plans. Include your pet in these plans! You may also want to get some fire safety window stickers. Include your furry buddies when filling these out. Also, make sure that your animal companion is microchipped and wearing proper ID tags. Keep your information up to date in the microchip manufacturer’s database. That way, if your pet gets out but runs off, the odds of them being returned to you are much greater.

In Case Of Fire

If a fire breaks out, your priority is to get yourself—and everyone else—out of the house immediately. You can look for your pet, but don’t delay your own escape. That would be extremely dangerous. If you can’t get your furry friend out, try to grab a leash on the way out, and leave the door open. You can try calling your animal friend, but don’t go back in: leave rescues to firefighters.

Do you have questions about your pet’s health or care? Contact us, your local Edison Park, FL pet hospital, today!