Stop, Drop and Rover: Practice home and fire safety for you and your pet
October 21st, 2015
When we leave our pets unattended at home, we may not realize the potential dangers posed by our household items and appliances. A gas leak, dryer malfunction or frayed wire could mean serious harm, or even death for your pet. Pets like Koal were lucky enough to survive a house fire, but we want to make sure no pet or their human has to face such tragedy. Here are some tips on how to keep your pet safe in your home.
- Secure your pets away from the kitchen and other potentially hazardous areas in your house when you are away.
- Turn off electrical and gas appliances before leaving the house, such as dryers, stoves, fan and lights.
- Extinguish all open flames in your house before leaving, like fireplaces and candles. Always supervise your pet when cooking and never leave a cooking appliance unattended even if you are home.
- Make sure to clear dry brush away from your yard, and follow the American Red Cross’s tips for protecting your home from fire dangers: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire.html
- Keep an emergency decal on your front window to let emergency responders know that there is a pet in the home
- If your pet is prone to chewing, be sure to keep electrical cords away from them or use a cord protector. These can electrocute your pet and start a fire.
- Make sure to include your pet in your fire evacuation plan by creating an emergency kit with extra food, veterinary records, and a photo of your pet. Keep your pet’s microchip updated in case they escape and get lost during a fire.
