July 9, 2021
A puppy is a valued member of any family. Their charm, unconditional love, and friendly demeanor make them a joy to have in a home. As such, it’s important to create and maintain an effective fire safety plan for all family members, including your furry friend. You may not realize it but house fires are a serious hazard that many families face—and one that can lead to fatalities. In fact, every year, house fires take the lives of about 40,000 pets, with most dying from smoke inhalation. About 1,000 house fires are accidentally started by pets themselves.
Since July 15 is National Pet Fire Safety Day, we wanted to help you keep your furry friend safe from a potential fire hazard with these useful safety tips.
1. Extinguish any open flames.
Puppies are naturally curious animals. They love to explore their surroundings, especially areas they aren’t supposed to be in! Unfortunately, that uncontrollable curiosity can get them into a heap of trouble. To prevent your puppy from causing fire hazards, avoid leaving open flames around in your home. This includes candles, cooking utensils, and the fire in your fireplace. If your puppy is especially mischievous, we recommend buying flameless LED candles so that you can keep your house warmly lit without any serious risks. You should also keep a careful watch when your puppy is around space heaters and make sure they have an automatic switch.
2. Puppy proof your entire home.
We talk a lot about puppy-proofing your house but we mean it when we say it’s worth the effort. Keep all wires and flammable objects out of your pet’s reach. Place covers over any material you know can catch fire quickly. If you have a large or medium-sized dog, remove knobs to any doors and unplug ovens. When given the chance, some dogs have been known to accidentally turn on stoves while attempting to get food. You can also purchase outlet covers to put on the wall. For more ideas on how to puppy-proof your home, check out our blog, 5 Ways You Can Puppy Proof Your House.
3. Have a fire safety plan in place.
When a fire breaks out in your home, do you have a plan on how to get you and your family to safety? If not, create a plan now. For houses that have more than one dog (or different pets), make sure to designate each pet to a specific person in your family. That way, when there’s an emergency, your furry friends will be cared for and brought to safety by your family members. You should also alert your family members of possible fire hazards around the house and identify your safe escape routes. This will be useful at the time of an actual house fire. If you can, you can try practicing fire drills in your home so that you and your family know what to do in case of an emergency.
4. Create an escape route.
While you create your fire safety plan, don’t forget about identifying escape routes for your puppy! You should create escape routes that your puppy can easily access during a house fire. It can be a doggy door or any opening near the front and backyard. That way, if you must leave your house during a fire, you can call your fur-baby’s name and ensure they have a way out. During your fire drills, you can even train your puppy to use these routes so they’re fully prepared during a real emergency.
5. Keep your puppy near entrances.
Whenever you leave your house to run an errand, make sure your puppy is kept near the entrance of your home. That way, if a house fire occurs, a firefighter can quickly rescue your fur-baby. Remember that smoke inhalation can damage your puppy’s lungs. According to Pet Poison Helpline, inhaling smoke can make it difficult to breathe, walk, and see. These effects are potentially fatal so a rescuer cannot waste time looking for your puppy.
Always be patient and calm with your puppy when you’re showing them escape routes or running fire drills. With enough practice and a good plan in place, you won’t need to worry about a house fire causing your pup serious injuries. Because your puppy is a valuable member of your family, ensuring their safety will help them live a long and happy life with you! We hope these tips help you keep your pet safe and prepared for National Pet Fire Safety Day!
