ASPCA | Five Fire Safety Tips for People with Pets

ASPCA Blog

September 12, 2011

Five Fire Safety Tips for People with Pets

We shudder to think about it. But according to the National Fire Protection Association, each year more than 1,000 house fires are accidentally started by pets. As part of National Preparedness Month, we suggest you take a minute to pet proof your home against potential fire hazards—it could mean the difference between life and death for your four-legged friends.

Secure wires and cords. Cats are especially interested in playing with anything that looks like string. Keep electrical wires and power cords secured and out of your pet’s reach.

Blow it out. Don't leave lit candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock the candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders placed on a stable surface. Want to be really safe? Consider using only flameless candles.

Cover it up. Pets are naturally curious and will investigate almost anything that has a scent. This includes your oven. Be sure to remove stove knobs or protect them with covers before leaving the house. Believe it or not, exploring stove tops is the number one way your pet can accidently start a fire.

Go crazy with the detectors. There is no such thing as too many smoke detectors. In fact, you should have at least one on each floor of your home. Out a lot? Consider using monitored smoke detectors. These systems send an immediate alert to a call center letting them know smoke has been detected.

Stick ‘em up. In the event of an emergency, our pet rescue sticker alerts rescue personnel that animals are inside your home. Write down the number of pets inside and attach the sticker to a front window or door.

For more information on preparing your family for an emergency, please read our list of Disaster Readiness tips.

Category:: New York City; Pet Care

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Submitted by Alexandra at:April 22, 2012 11:31 PM
Be careful. Depending on where you live these pet asiurnnces, credit services, etc could cost you for nothing.I live rural. We have only one vet clinic in a 25 mile radius. The clinic doesn't work with any of these programs. If I bought any of them, I would have paid for nothing. The only thing our clinic takes is cash, check or major credit card!!So ask your vet what they take and deal with.
Submitted by Pawan at:April 3, 2012 03:15 AM
Fabulous news, I thank you Liz for yours effort, you write to me from the heart. I will no lgneor play that games from eamobile, what costs nothing, inclusive This Sims real time what come out soon!. It wasn't until the shit with the Origin, then this. For me, it is here only about profit and greed, but the player only plays second fiddle.
Submitted by plumbing at:February 19, 2012 10:54 AM
Planned escape routes are a necessity, especially if a fire were to occur during the night. Go through each room in your house and think about the possible exits. You should have in your mind two escape routes from each room, in case one is blocked by fire. Inspect the room to make sure that furniture and other objects are not blocking doorways or windows.
Submitted by Judy at:December 4, 2011 10:17 PM
Your website has to be the elcetroinc Swiss army knife for this topic.
Submitted by Jane at:September 12, 2011 05:15 PM
Actually one of my cats accidentally turned a gas cooker on one day - fortunately my maybe 8 years old daughter was just back from school, and called me immediatly at the office because it was smelling gas and she didn't know why, so I had to call a neighbor to check it out before it was too late... - now believe me, I *always* turn the gas supply off as soon as I don't need it anymore !!! - and it was 18 years ago !