Your Pets and Fire

6/29/2018 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO of Lake Worth/Benbrook, we love our pets and they’re a part of our families! We can’t imagine the possibility of our lives without them, which is why it’s important to be sure to make sure your pet is safe in the event of a fire. An estimated 500,000 pets are affected by fires annually, and 1,000 of those fires are started by pets who have knocked over candles or turned on stoves (United States Fire Administration). Because of the risk, we’ve put together some tips to help prevent and plan for a fire.

Prevention:

We cannot stress prevention enough! The number one way to make sure both you and your pet are protected from fires is to prevent them.

• Candles are the cause of an estimated 8,690 fires in the United States (National Fire Protection Association). While it may seem like a no brainer to blow out your candles before you leave the house or go to bed, we are human. Double check to make sure open flames are put out. Cats can knock over lit candles with their tails, or a dog might get excited and knock one off of a table.
• Keep electrical cords out of reach if your pet is a chewer, especially puppies. A puppy could chew through an electrical cord, which could cause a short. Not only is this dangerous for your puppy, but it’s also dangerous for your house.
• We like the warmth in the winter, and so do our pets! Keep bedding and toys away from fireplaces or other heating elements during the winter time.
• Test your smoke alarms! Make sure they’re working. Look to see where your pet goes to hide when they’re scared and make a note of it, so a firefighter can find them in the event of a fire.
• If you have a stove/oven that has knobs, try and take those off before you leave your home or go to bed at night. Animals can accidentally turn them on and catch anything that’s on top of the stove or in the oven on fire.

If There’s A Fire:

If the unimaginable happens and you do have a fire, below are some tips to keep your pet safe.

• In the event of a fire and you’re not at home, make sure your neighbors know how many pets you have and what their names are. You can also get a sign for your windows to let rescue workers know how many and what type of pets you may have in your home.
• Train your pet to come when she’s called so you won’t have to go looking for her just incase there is a fire.
• Keep leashes by the door so your pet can be evacuated easily, and you won’t have to carry an 80-pound dog out of the house.
• Have a pet emergency kit by either the door or in with yours. Make it easy to grab and go. Some things you’ll want to include are: a toy, medicine, treats, food, water, an extra collar and leash with tags, a first-aid kit, and any important documents you may need.
• Make sure your pet wears a collar with identification tags at all times just incase they get out of the home by themselves. If your pet manages to lose their collar by wiggling free or they aren’t wearing one, it’s a good idea to get your pet microchipped as well.
• Make a fire escape plan that includes your pet just incase there is a fire. Practice it with your whole family so everyone is on board.

In the event that you and your pet have been affected by a fire, give us a call! We are here to help 24/7. 817.560.3086