National Pet Fire Safety Day

Share This Post

by Kathryn Weston

July 15th is National Pet Fire Safety Day

Although planning for disaster may be the furthest thing from your mind this summer, fire prevention and safety are vital to protecting your beloved pets in the event of a house fire. National Pet Fire Safety Day was established in 2008 by the American Kennel Club® and ADT Security Services in order to spread awareness about pet fire prevention and safety. With this goal in mind, District Dogs presents the Four P’s of Pet Fire Safety.

Prepare

Most people have an evacuation plan for their human family members, but pets are sometimes an afterthought when chaos strikes. Including furry friends in your emergency planning can save you from of panic and heartache later.
  • Use pet alert signs. Pet alert stickers and clings placed on exterior doors and windows are a great way to ensure that emergency responders know how many and what type of pets to rescue. The ASPCA offers free Pet Safety Packs that include a pet alert sticker, and similar stickers can be found at local fire stations, pet supply stores, or online. Don’t forget to keep the alert information up to date!

  • Collars and ID tags are crucial. Many owners make the mistake of only placing a collar and tags on pets during planned trips outside the home. Keeping visual identification on your pet at all times ensures that your pet is quickly identifiable in an emergency. Microchipping is recommended in addition to tags as a more permanent ID.
  • Designate an emergency petsitter. In the event of a fire, your pet will need dedicated attention during and after a traumatic experience. Find a close friend or nearby relative who is comfortable handling, housing, and taking your pets to the veterinarian for you. Many safety shelters do not accept pets, and fire victims find themselves busy on the phone with insurance companies, employers, and schools, leaving little time to care for pets.
  • Add pet supplies to your emergency kit. Emergency contact information, slip lead, pre-measured pet meals, and extra doses of pet medications are important items to have when you evacuate. Keeping a travel carrier assembled and ready to go is also recommended for small dogs and cats.
  • Take note of hiding spots. During stressful moments, many animals react by receding to a place where they feel safe. Cats are notorious for disappearing into a closet at the most inconvenient moments. Dogs often hide in corners and closets, under beds, and behind furniture. Remember these locations so you can tell emergency responders where to look.
  • Keep confined pets near exits. Many pets stay in crates or kennels while their owners are gone in order to keep them calm or out of trouble. Unfortunately, this also prevents them from escaping from fires. Housing pets near an exit will simply rescue efforts.

Prioritize

Unfortunately, it is impossible to prevent every fire, no matter how much effort we put into safety measures. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, almost 500,000 pets are affected by fires each year. In any emergency, it’s important to stay calm and prioritize your actions so that everyone has the best chance of making it through the crisis safely.Don’t go back for pets. Authorities warn against endangering your own life to rescue pets from a fire. Tell a firefighter where to look, and rely on their training and safety gear to deliver your pet to safety.

  • Seek veterinary attention immediately. Your pet may look and act just fine, but toxic inhalation can affect pets’ lungs long after the smoke has cleared. You or your emergency pet sitter should have your pet examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible after direct exposure to fire or smoke.

Practice

They say practice makes perfect, but more importantly, practice makes permanent. Rehearsing your disaster plan several times a year will help to work out any problems and make everyone feel more prepared.

District Dogs wishes you and your loved ones a safe summer!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay up to date with District Dogs!

More To Explore

You love your pup.

Let Us Love Your pup, too.