Pet fire safety day
The idea behind the event is to make pet owners aware of the hazards their beloved cat, dog or other animals could pose in the home with regard to fire
BURGERSFORT – The combined efforts of the Kennel Club and American District Telegraph (ADT) Security Services led to the first pet fire safety day (15 July) being held in the late 2000s.
The idea behind the event is to make pet owners aware of the hazards their beloved cat, dog or other animals could pose in the home with regard to fire. Many fires are caused by pets especially when they are left alone in a property and the intention is that by highlighting the dangers to owners it can help in preventing them.
Pet owners should take advantage of the day to discuss who in a home is responsible for helping a pet escape in the event of a blaze and carry out some practice escape drills.
Here is a few ways to help keep you and your pet safe: Develop a plan for your pet by determining 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. 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 your escape plan so that it can 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.
Pets can be the victims of a fire, but they can also be an unintentional cause. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that nearly a 1 000 house fires each year are accidentally started by homeowners’ pets.
Your animal friends 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 and be sure to remove stove knobs or protect them with covers before leaving the house.
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.
It only takes a little bit of time to include your pets into your home evacuation plans and to minimize the fire hazards in your home.
