When we think about pets and fire, we usually think about how to protect them in case of a fire, but have you ever thought about them being the cause of a fire?
July 15th is National Pet Fire Safety Day and we wanted to share some tips with you about the topic to ensure you know how to protect your pets from fires and also make sure they aren’t the reason the fire started in the first place.
Everyone knows Summer is a prime time in Arizona for crazy wildfires and increased risk. Keeping yourself safe is important, but it’s also important to think about how to keep your animal safe in case of emergency. The AKC has a list of things to keep in mind about pet’s and fire, but here are just a few of the most important things to remember.
Keep collars and leashes close to exits. The last thing you want when a fire is happening is to not be able to locate means to transport your animal safely. Keeping leashes close to doors allows for an easy and quick exit.
Have pet alerts on windows. Attach a list of the pets in your home and their names to the front and back windows so that if a firefighter were to come to your house, they are aware of how many and what kind of animals are inside the home.
You never think that a pet could be capable of starting a fire, but an estimated 1,000 household fires are started by pets every year. There are many preventative ways to keep your home and pets safe from fire, but here are two important things to keep in mind that you may not have thought of before:
An age old rule, never leave candles burning when you aren’t in the room or in the house. This is especially important when you have pets in your home. A wag of a tail or a curious cat could easily knock over a candle and ignite a fire. Make sure to watch your candles and be aware of furry friends in the room.
A source of fire that is somewhat unexpected are glass water or food bowls on wooden decks. The rays from the hot Summer sun can beat down and filter through the glass which heats up the wood and can start a fire. Use ceramic or stainless steel bowls outside to ensure your pets dinner table won’t set your entire house on fire.
Fires can be devastating to homes and entire communities especially when pets are involved. Make sure you are up to date on the latest safety tips and celebrate National Pet Fire Safety Day this July 15. For more information on fire safety, give us a call at Laveen Veterinary Center at 602-559-9600.