fire safety

An estimated 500,000 pets are affected annually by home fires, however, nearly 1,000 house fires each year are accidentally started by the homeowners’ pets, according to a data analysis by the National Fire Protection Association. Planning for unexpected emergencies like home fires and taking these precautions are an integral part of responsible pet ownership.

PREVENT YOUR PET FROM STARTING FIRES

Fire flame

EXTINGUISH OPEN FLAMES

Pets 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.

REMOVE STOVE KNOBS

Be sure to remove stove knobs or protect them with covers before leaving the house. According to the National Fire Protection Association, a stove or cook top is the number one piece of equipment involved in your pet starting a fire.

Oven knob
Candles

INVEST IN FLAMELESS CANDLES

These candles contain a light bulb rather than an open flame, and take the danger out of your pet knocking over a candle. Cats are notorious for starting fires when their tails turn over lit candles.

BEWARE OF WATER BOWLS ON WOODEN DECKS

Do not leave a glass water bowl for your pet outside on a wooden deck. The sun’s rays when filtered through the glass and water can actually heat up and ignite the wooden deck beneath it. Choose stainless steel or ceramic bowls instead.

Water bowl

KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE

Front door

KEEP PETS NEAR ENTRANCES

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.

SECURE YOUNG PETS

Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home such as in crates or behind baby gates in secure areas.

Cute puppy
Smoke alarm

PETS LEFT ALONE CAN’T ESCAPE A BURNING HOME

Consider using monitored smoke detectors which are connected to a monitoring center so emergency responders can be contacted when you’re not home. These systems provide an added layer of protection beyond battery-operated smoke alarms.

AFFIX A PET ALERT WINDOW CLING

Write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets. Make sure to update the number of pets listed.

Window cling