The statistics are scary- 40,000 pets die in house fires every year (source). The American Kennel Club and ADT Security Services declared National Pet Fire Safety Day in 2009 to educate pet owners on how to take steps to prevent house fires and protect their beloved pets.
Taking preventable measures can save your home and your pet. Often times our pets can cause a fire if proper precautions aren’t taken. Here are some easy fire safety tips that can keep you and your pet safe.
Pet Fire Safety Tips
-Extinguish open flames. Pets are curious. Wagging tails can accidentally knock over candles.
-Consider flameless candles for ambiance and backup lighting in the event of a power outage.
-Replace glass water bowls with metal or plastic. Interestingly if left outside on wooden decks, glass can heat up and actually start a fire.
-Have leashes and collars stored near the entrance of your home.
-When you’re away, block pets in the main living area of your home for easy rescue.
-Secure young mischievous pets when you’re away from home. A crate or a pet-proofed room are good options.
-For added safety when you’re not home, remove knobs from the stove to avoid them accidentally being turned on.
-Fire alert window stickers help firefighters identifying the number of pets in your home and where they are located in the house. Add one to the window of the room you keep your pets when you are away. Keep it updated with the number of pets who live with you and a current phone number.
We know that keeping your pet safe is your top priority! If you need someone to watch over your pets while you’re away, give us a call. We offer pet sitting and house sitting across the South Shore so you’ll know that you pet and your home are safe when you’re out of town.
