Tips for Awareness and Education During National Pet Fire Safety Day

16 Jul Tips for Awareness and Education During National Pet Fire Safety Day

To help reduce the estimated 500,000 pets affected by home fires each year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) and ADT Security Services (ADT) launched “National Pet Fire Safety Day.” This nationwide awareness day educates pet owners about potential risks when pets are left home alone and provides proven prevention measures to ensure their safety.

Pet owners consider their pets to be valued family members so it makes sense to include them in fire prevention plans and rescue alerts should a house fire strike. As part of National Pet Fire Safety Day, AKC and ADT have developed helpful prevention, escape, and rescue tips for pet owners.

“One of the hallmarks of responsible dog ownership is keeping pets safe and planning for unexpected emergencies, including house fires,” said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. “Pet proofing the home, developing pet-friendly escape routes and alerting rescuers of your pet’s presence with “window clings” is the best way to keep your four-legged family member from harm.”

“National Pet Fire Safety Day” Tips to Keep Pets Safe from House Fires:

• 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.
• Pet Proof the Home – Take a walk around your home and look for areas where pets might start fires inadvertently, such as the stove knobs, loose wires, and other potential hazards.
• Secure Young Pets – Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home.
• Keep Pets Near Entrances – When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.
• Practicing Escape Routes with Pets – Keep collars and leashes at the ready in case you have to evacuate quickly with your pet or firefighters need to rescue your pet.
• Affix a Pet Alert Window Cling – Purchase a window cling from a pet product retailer. Write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window. This critical information saves rescuers time locating your pets.
• Keep Your Information Updated – Firefighters are familiar with pet alert window clings so keep the number of pets listed on them updated. Knowing the accurate number of pets in the house aids rescuers in finding all of your pets.
• Consider Microchipping your pet – A microchip is a permanent method of electronic identification. The chip itself is very small – about the size of a grain of rice – and is implanted subcutaneously (just under the skin) between the shoulder blades at the back of your pet’s neck. Each chip has a unique number that is detected using a microchip scanner. A microchip can help your lost pet return home safely and quickly. Contact your veterinarian for details.

Tips courtesy of ADT Security Services and the American Kennel Club.