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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

How to Keep Your Pets Safe From Fire Risks

7/13/2021 (Permalink)

As a pet-friendly office at SERVPRO of Lynnwood our furry friends are near and dear to our hearts as a special part of the family. Sadly, approximately 500,000 pets are affected by house fires each year and many house fires are even caused by pets, especially when left home alone. Read over these tips to help prevent any accidental fire started by your pets and for keeping your pets safe in the event of a fire in your home. When creating your family’s emergency plan make sure you include your dog, cat, or other pets in your plan of action.

To Prevent Your Pets from Starting An Accidental Fire;

  • Beware of candles and other open flames. Pets are curious creatures and may take interest in a flickering flame. If you do have any open flames in your home at any time, be sure to never leave them unattended and to keep an eye on your pets. If you're using a fireplace, consider getting a fireplace screen to protect pets when sleeping in front of the fire. Also make sure the fire is completely out before heading out or going to bed. Small sparks and coals can pass through a screen and ignite soft contents such as furniture or carpet.
  • Secure wires and cords. Pets are often tempted to chew on loose wires and cords. Exposed wires can be a fire hazard, so consider securing any electrical objects so that their cords are out of reach. 
  • Avoid using glass bowls for your pets' water. When filtered and heated through glass, the sun's rays can ignite the wood beneath the bowl and set a deck in flames. Try using a stainless steel or ceramic bowl instead.

Keep Your Pets Safe After/During A Fire:

  • Place a pet fire sticker on the door or window of your home. In the event of a fire when you're away, having a pet sticker will help rescuers know how many pets to look for, saving valuable time and hopefully your furry friends.  
  • Use monitored smoke detectors. Pets left home alone can't escape on their own. Monitored smoke detectors contact emergency responders when you're not home and add an extra layer of protection beyond that of battery-operated smoke alarms. 
  • Keep pets near entrances when you're away from home. Keep collars (with ID tags) on your pets at all times and leave leashes by the entrance or somewhere easy to find in an emergency. This will help firefighters to find and rescue your pets when they arrive.
  • Know where your pets' hiding’ spots are. It's important that you can find your pets quickly if there's a fire. Know where your pets like to sleep and especially where they like to go when they are scared or anxious (under the bed or hidden in a quiet corner of the house somewhere).
  • Have an ERP (Emergency Ready Plan) in place and make sure everyone in the house knows what to do in the event of a fire. Know who will be in charge of getting your pets outside safely. Have someone in charge of leashes and pet carriers so that they can be safely secured once you're outside. In the event that you can't find your pet when exiting, leave doors and windows open on your way out and call to them so that they come out on their own.
  • Practice fire drills with your pets. It is important to include your pets in the family fire drills. Practice finding them and getting out of the house. Also practice the "open access" scenario where you leave an exit open (preferably the one they're most comfortable with) and call to them to come out of the home. The more you practice, the more likely they are to come out in the event of an actual fire.
  • Don’t forget pet food & water, even medication. Depending on how long you may be displaced after a fire it’s a great idea to have food, water and any necessary medications on hand so that your pet feels more comfortable and doesn’t suffer from hunger or dehydration.

Call SERVPRO of Lynnwood at 425-774-1148 to find out more about what you can do to prepare for the unexpected.

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