National Pet Fire Safety Day
With all of us finally seeing the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, parties are being scheduled, people are traveling, and the world seems to be moving again. While this is great news, it also means that pets will again be spending time alone at home. Did you know that half a million pets are affected by fires every year in the United States? In some cases, pets are also responsible for starting fires in the home. The American Kennel Club has designated July 15th as National Pet Fire Safety Day. Let us review some tips for pet fire safety in your home.
Tips to Keep Pets Protected on National Pet Fire Safety Day
1. Avoid leaving lit candles unattended for any period of time. The flickering light of candles may tempt curious pets, especially a cat, which may result in the candle being knocked over.
2. Electrical cords can also double as chew toys for unknowing pets. Be sure to secure all electrical cords out of the reach of your pets. Additionally, if you have a pet that you are not confident will stay out of mischief, such as chewing on electrical cords, the safest option for both your pet and your family may be to crate train your pet, so that they stay in a crate while you are gone from the home.
3. Avoid leaving pots or pans cooking on the stove unattended. The smell may lure pets, unaware of the danger of both the flame and potentially hot grease or boiling water.
4. Consider using monitored smoke alarms, which should alert your security company should they go off when you are not home. A fast response to a house fire can increase the chances of saving both your pets and your home.
5. Have a plan for rescuing your pet. This may include placing decals on the windows which will notify fire and rescue of how many pets are inside of the home. Be aware of the favorite napping places and hiding places of your pet. If they become afraid from the smell of a fire or the blaring of an alarm, you may have the opportunity to grab them and bring them to safety. Also, consider keeping leashes by the door or in an easily accessible place, in case you need to herd frightened pets out of a burning home.
6. Your pets should either have a microchip placed, or make sure they have a proper identification tag with your phone number on the collar. This way, if your pets run from a burning home, because they are scared, returning them to you will be much easier. It is also a good idea to have a good and current digital photo of your pets. Should they go missing, this can make it easier to create a lost pets flyer and to post information about your missing pets online.
Be sure to follow these tips and pass them on to others in honor of National Pet Fire Safety Day on July 15, 2021. For more information, our experienced team of local attorneys is here to answer your questions. We know local experience matters! For more information, please reach out to our office. You may call, chat, or contact us at any time. Put our team to work for you!