Top 7 Pet Fire Safety Tips

As a resident of New York City with fire sirens sounding off on a regular basis, fire prevention and fire safety are subjects I think about often. Perhaps, it’s the worrywart inside. When I first adopted Frenchy in 2007, I had no idea how to protect her in case of a fire or emergency and the fear forced me to do some research.

Here are 7 tips that I hope will help you in case of an emergency.

1. IDENTIFY POTENTIAL HAZARDS. Walk around your home and look for loose wires that your pet may accidentally trip over. Pay close attention to wires around your televisions and computers, as they are likely to have extra wires that could spark a fire. Check the batteries in your smoke detectors or fire alarms and replace them with fresh batteries if necessary.

2. HAVE AN ESCAPE PLAN. Take the time to map out a route for your entire family and pets to leave the home. If you have children, consider practicing the route several times. Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) recommends that you also designate one family member to be responsible for each pet getting to safety.

3. KEEP LEASHES/COLLARS NEAR EXITS. Your pets may panic if they see or smell smoke and it’s important to always evacuate them on a leash or in a pet carrier. If your escape plan includes a back door, be sure to have extra leashes or carriers near that exit.

4. KEEP PET IDENTIFICATION UP TO DATE. We’ve already learned how important microchips are, but it’s equally important to make sure that your pet’s ID tags include your most recent phone number and email address.

5. KNOW YOUR PET’S HIDING PLACE. If your dog tends to hide out under the bed or in a special area, be aware of this spot and what tricks (or treats) you may need to lure your loved one out.

6. ALERT FIREFIGHTERS ABOUT PETS. If you’re unable to escape with your furry family member, make sure to tell firefighters immediately. Pet fire rescue safety stickers are important to display in your windows, especially if you are not home during the incident. These stickers are invaluable and have literally saved animals’ lives. You can get a free safety pack (including stickers like the one pictured below) from the ASPCA’s website here.

7. KEEP A PET EMERGENCY KIT NEARBY. Your kit should include items such as scissors, a blanket, first aid tape, gauze, and hydrogen peroxide. To make things easy on pet parents, the ASPCA sells an Emergency Ready Deluxe Pet First Aid Kit for $29.99 on their website.

First-Aid-Product.com offers several other first aid kit selections for dogs, cats, and even horses! You should supplement both kits, however, with your pet’s food, veterinary paperwork and shot records, and a photo/ brief description of your pooch.

This blog post was originally published by Furry Wiggle Butts here.