When it comes to establishing a fire safety plan for the family members in your home, it is all too often the case that pets are not considered.
Shockingly, 40,000 pets die each year in house fires, and 1,000 of these are started by the pets themselves. Every 80 seconds a fire is started in the home, with often devastating effects, and fires are a very common disaster that can so easily be avoided. We have some handy tips to help you know how to prevent an emergency situation in your home and how to protect your beloved pets in the process.
Curiosity killed the cat…
As the old saying goes, cats and dogs alike are curious little creatures who could investigate burning candles or open fires, and can all too easily knock something hazardous over with a tail or paw, or set their fur alight by getting too close. Never leave your home without making sure that you extinguish any open flames such as log fires or candles, and ensure that you do not leave your pet unattended while one is burning. For maximum safety, keep any candles up high and out of reach (not forgetting that animals have a tendency to climb and jump!), and make use of fireguards if necessary.
Safety inside the home…
Pets should be confined to secure places when left alone in the house to prevent them from igniting a house fire. Crates or baby gates to separate the animals while ensuring they have plenty of space to roam around are the perfect solution. If confining your pets is not a viable option, why not consider locking or removing your stove knobs to prevent inquisitive noses inadvertently switching on gas or electric hobs, grills or ovens. It is especially important to pay close attention to young pets such as puppies and kittens, as they will happily chew any loose cords, exposed pipes or wires which could lead to electrocution and fires very quickly. Just as you would baby proof your home, you must consider every scenario that could occur with pets and take the appropriate steps to prevent them from happening.
Safety outside the home…
When considering fire safety in your home you must also pay attention to activities that happen in the garden too. Lit and smouldering BBQ’s are a perfect example of fire hazards to boisterous pets playing in the garden. Bonfire night is a fire safety risk for humans and animals alike, and frightened pets can behave erratically and knock over lit fireworks or catch fire themselves, so ensure that during the fireworks season your pets remain safely indoors and away from danger (and loud bangs!).
Be Prepared…
In the event of any accident or emergency, we recommend having a pet emergency kit prepared in an accessible place, to include your pets medication, veterinary records, leads, harnesses or carriers, current photographs of your pet should it becomes lost, emergency contact information and food for your pet. You should ensure that your pet is wearing identification all the time, and by law your pet must be micro chipped so that they can easily be identified if found and handed into a local animal shelter.
Taking time to implement these simple tips may help to prevent emergencies within your home and save the lives of you and your pets in the future. If in any doubt at all, contact fire safety experts who can advise you on best practice within the home to give you peace of mind that your furry friends are as safe as can be.
