Pet Safety
Three Smart Steps for Pet Safety at Home
Americans love their pets. So it only makes sense that all pet owners should take extra care to ensure a safe home environment for their furry and feathered friends—especially when it comes to protecting them from house or electrical fires. Unfortunately, more than 500,000 pets are affected by house fires every year. We’ve developed a smart, safe three-step approach to ensuring your family and your pets stay safe at home in the unfortunate event of a fire.Â
1. Don't Let Pets Start Fires
- Don’t allow your pets in the kitchen when cooking. Many kitchen fires start because hungry, over-energized, or distracting animals cause chaos.Â
- Protect control knobs with covers—or remove them when you leave the house. Some pets’ paws are more talented and troublesome than you might think.
- On cold days and nights, your pets may be extra attracted to the warmth of fireplaces and space heaters. Encourage them to safely snuggle up in their own beds, far away from heating elements or open flames.Â
1. Don't Let Pets Start Fires
- Assign each pet to a family member who’s responsible to evacuating them quickly from the house in case of a fire. Store leashes and carriers close to exits for fast, easy access.Â
- Make sure you’re aware of any spots your pets may hide in when scared, upset, or aloof. This way you’ll be able to quickly round them up during an evacuation.Â
- Develop an advanced plan for sheltering the pets in case you can’t return home for several days. Check with pet-friendly neighbors who may be willing to look out for them while you’re away.
- Put together a dog- or cat-centric survival kit. Stock a small bag with a few cans of food and any necessary pet medications and keep it with your home fire evacuation supplies.
3. Protect Your Pets Inside and Out
- Make the dog house safer for outdoor canines who prefer sleeping in their own space. Keep the area clear of plants and flammable materials. Never isolate your pets with closed gates or tall fencing.Â
- Replace collars and leashes at the first signs of wear and tear. During a fire, they become a lifeline between you and your pet. Be sure to also update tags and microchips with current contact information.Â
- If your pet doesn’t always come when you call, train them so you can count on better results. This can be a pet lifesaver in fire situations.Â
- Make sure firefighters know if there are animals in a burning house. Pet alert stickers in windows can save animals’ lives, especially if they’re home alone when a fire breaks out. Free pet safety packs, including pet alert stickers, are available from the ASPCA here.Â
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