National Pet Fire Safety Prevention Day

Today, July 15^th, is National Pet Fire Safety Prevention Day. According to the National Fire Protection Association, at least 500,000 pets are affected by home fires every year. And nearly 1,000 of them are accidentally started by pets. Most fires started by pets involve the stovetop, candles or fireplace. It’s critical that we as pet owners make an extra effort to ensure our pets are safe from fire hazards.

Here are 10 pet fire safety tips you can put into practice to reduce the risk of a house fire started by your pets and keep your pets out of harm’s way.

1. Don’t leave an open flame unattended.

Most pets are naturally curious, especially when they are young. Puppies and kittens do not understand the risks posed by fire. A toppled candle, spilled grease or spark on a tail can quickly become a tragic inferno.

2. Secure your stove knobs.

Some pets are especially adept at turning knobs. If your dog can turn a door knob, he or she most likely can turn a stove knob. Make sure you store your knobs away in a drawer or use knob safety covers to prevent an unintentional fire.

3. Avoid candles.

Many pets, especially cats and puppies, find lit candles irresistible. The National Fire Protection Association recommends you substitute electronic candles instead. They may not be as romantic, but they are much safer.

4. Secure your fireplace or fire pit.

A fireplace or backyard fire pit can be a cozy gathering spot for family and friends, but a stray spark could quickly ignite nearby fabric. Avoid placing fabric items close to a fire burning area unless you are there to supervise and consider a fireplace guard for your indoor fireplace to keep embers in their place.

5. Secure electrical cords.

Puppies and cats are notorious for playing with cords; they can easily mistake them for a toy. There are many cord protectors out on the market as well as searchable do-it-yourself ideas on the internet. Take the time to secure your electrical cords to ensure exposed wires don’t spark and start a fire. Click here for more tips on how to puppy-proof your home.

6. Avoid placing glass water bowls on wood decks.

A glass bowl filled with water can act as a magnifying glass and focus the sun’s hot rays into a hot beam. Wood decks not properly treated with flame-retardants could start a fire. Use a plastic or wood bowl instead.

7. Protect your puppy when you’re gone.

If you’re going to leave youngsters alone for more than a few minutes, consider leaving them in a crate or puppy-proofed room so they don’t inadvertently start a fire or harm themselves. If you’re going to be gone for a longer period of time, consider Canine Campus’ daycare or boarding services.

8. Keep leashes near the door.

Keep your dog’s leash near the door in case you need to exit your home in a hurry due to a fire or other emergency. Keep your pet’s collar (with ID tags) on him or her at all times, and make sure your pet is microchipped in case they become lost during a home evacuation.

9. Have a fire evacuation plan in place.

It’s always a good idea to have a disaster preparedness plan in place and to practice getting your dog out of harm’s way. Assigning a family member responsibility for each pet can help avoid confusion in an emergency.

10. Apply pet fire alert decals to your window

There are many easy-to-apply window decals on the market to let first responders know how many pets are in the home and where they may be located. This will help fire personnel when trying to locate and rescue a frightened or unconscious pet.

I hope these tips will help keep you and your pets out of harm’s way, especially from preventable fires.

Have you or someone you know lost a pet to a fire? Was the fire preventable? Please share your experience with the Canine Campus community by commenting below.