National Pet Fire Safety Day – July 15

National Pet Fire Safety Day is observed annually on July 15th, and it is here to prepare us for how to act in catastrophic situations such as fires. Just like fire drills in schools and office buildings, our pets need to be taken into consideration when we are preparing for fire emergencies in and around our homes.

It is very important to be prepared and take preventative measures so you and your pet can be safe in situations like these. Many times even our pets can be the cause of a fire, and also they can be the first casualties of a fire emergency.

Few things that are very important are to be prepared to extinguish any open flames because pets are curious creatures and can cause more damage. If you have cats, consider using LED flame candles because we all know that cats love to knock things over.

They can even set themselves on fire by just wagging their tail over a candle. It is practical to keep pets in a fire-retardant area of your home when you’re not there. They can’t accidentally cause a fire like that. Therefore employing pet fire safety strategies, especially during holiday seasons, is crucial!

Pet Fire Safety And EVAC Plans for National Pet Fire Safety Day!

• Extinguish any open flames you come across. Our pets are curious and certainly not aware of the fact that they need to be cautious. Wagging tails of dogs can quickly knock over candles during power outages or planned romantic evenings. Curious felines will paw at sizzling grease, which can easily send your entire kitchen up in a lick of flames.
• Remove any knobs from the stove and other dangerous appliances. This way, when not in use, they can’t get accidentally turned on.
• Consider flameless candles or LED Candles for ambiance and backup lighting in the event of a power outage, or LED lamps will do as well!
• Replace glass water bowls with metal, plastic, or any environmentally-friendly alternative that won’t cause a possible fire hazard. When left unattended for just a second on outside wooden decks, they can get knocked over, heat up, and catch fire.
• Store leashes, collars, dog crates, cat carriers, and pet strollers near the doors and planned emergency exits of your house. When you are away, let your pets remain in the main living area for easy rescue in case you need to evacuate or remove them from the house quickly.

• Ensure that your young pets are safe and secure when you are not at home. This can help prevent any possible fire hazards. A great idea is to get a pet kennel or to keep them in a pet-proofed room.
• Items such as fire alert window clings can help firefighters identify the room your pets are located in, and identify the number of pets in the house to ensure everyone is evacuated when needs be, especially in case of any unforeseen natural disasters. Fix one of these clings to the window of the room you keep your pets in when you are away. Remember to keep it updated with the number of pets residing with you and your current phone number–also add a secondary contact, just to be safe.
• Have an evacuation plan in place for when you are at home. Allocate certain family members to each pet and practice regular fire drills and emergency exit points, so everyone is aware of what their tasks are, where they are supposed to go and train them to have their pet’s items needed when you need to leave in a hurry!

The tips mentioned above should be part of your endeavors this National Pet Fire Safety Prevention Day.

National Pet Fire Safety Day serves as a reminder to all pet owners to take the necessary precautions to keep their beloved pets safe in the event of a fire. By taking simple steps like creating an evacuation plan that includes your pets, ensuring that your smoke detectors are in working order, and keeping pets away from potential fire hazards, you can greatly reduce the risk of harm to both your pets and your family.

Remember, a little bit of preparation can go a long way in protecting those who matter most to you. So, on this National Pet Fire Safety Day and every day, take a moment to prioritize the safety of your pets and ensure that they are well-equipped to handle any emergency situation.

Observe National Pet Fire Safety Day this July, by sharing tips and personal experiences with others on social media and using the hashtags #PetFireSafetyDay and #ILoveVeterinary