Fire Safety Tips for Pets

10/14/2019 (Permalink)

This is one of our dogs, Penny.

Our pets are very important to our family, because they are members of the family. While thinking of possible emergencies, it’s crucial to remember our pets in any contingency plans. While preparing for a possible house fire, there are ways to make it easier and faster to keep your pets and your family safe. Below are pet safety tips relating to a house fire:

• Know where your leashes are- In a fire, you need to get out of the house quickly, and the easiest way to do this with pets is to put them on their leash. We recommend keeping the leashes near the front door so they can be accessed quickly to make evacuation easier. 
• Always keep collars on your pets (both dogs and cats)- If you have to evacuate without your pets for any reason, having a collar on your pets will make it easier for a firefighter to grab them to take them out of the house. 
• Do not go back into your house to save your pets- Animals are much smarter than we give them credit for. They will see smoke and fire and know that it is a sign of danger. They will save themselves and leave the house. They are also much lower to the ground, which means they will inhale a lot less smoke and the temperature will be lower. 
• Microchip your pets- If your pet has escaped by itself from your home, it can easily be located and identified with a microchip. Most vet offices can microchip your pets. 
• Buy stickers to indicate that your home has pets- Most pet stores will sell these stickers that can be placed on or near your front door that will alert firefighters that you have pets in the home in case a fire breaks out when you are not home. 

SERVPRO of Norridge/Harwood Heights knows how important pets are and wants to make sure that pets are safe from the possibility of fire. Please follow these tips above and use best judgment.