Pets truly do become part of the family. You probably take your beloved canine companion to the vet often for check-ups, vaccines, and other pet health concerns. One thing many pet owners don't consider, however, is that it's important to create a fire safety plan for your furry family members. If the worst-case scenario happens, nobody wants to waste precious moments trying to figure out pet safety along with human safety. Prevention is the best protection. Follow the below tips to make a fire safety plan for the canine companion in your life.
Paws Off the Kitchen
Make your kitchen a no-entry zone for your pets. This will probably come in handy when you don't have your dog's adorable eyes staring at you while you try to eat at the breakfast table, but it's especially important because dogs can sometimes get curious about ovens, stovetop burners, and other appliances in the kitchen. A dog can even accidentally start a fire by jumping on the stove if it turns knobs.
Prevent such hazards by blocking off the entrance to the kitchen from your pet. You can do this by closing the door or simply putting up a partition like a baby gate. Some dogs will simply respond to verbal commands to not enter a certain room, but it's best to play it safe when in doubt and block the entrance.
Keep Candles Out of Reach
If you're trying to set a romantic mood or just fill a room with wonderful smells, scented candles may seem ideal. However, they can be dangerous when you have a dog. Dogs are naturally drawn to flames, and they will likely be curious about candles. They may also get distracted and not understand the power of a candle, thus knocking it down when they run or play. A swish of a dog's tail could push a candle against a curtain, and a fire could easily get started from there. Play it safe and do not light candles around your dog unless you can keep them on a very high surface where the dog has no access.
Create Set Sleeping Arrangements
Always know where your pet is sleeping in case of an emergency in the middle of the night. No matter how much you adore your dog, you don't want to put your own life at risk in the event of an emergency. Know right where your pet is sleeping each night so you can grab them and go in case of a fire or other emergency late at night.
Establish Easy Exits
Look around your home and establish the easiest exits you can access in case a fire ever breaks out in your home. Be sure to have more than one in case the direction of the fire is in different locales. Choose one that is near where you and your pet sleep if possible so you can easily escape if you need to do so.
Pack an Emergency Kit
Be sure to have a couple of pet emergency kits like you do human ones. Place a pet emergency kit by each of your established emergency exits. Some things you may want to pack in the kit include:
A dog anxiety vest, which can work wonders to calm down a dog who doesn't understand all the panic that happens within an emergency.
- Bottled water
- Water dish
- Dog snacks
It's also a good idea to have a pet carrier near the kit in case you need it to keep your dog safe in an emergency.
Finally, keep in mind that preparation is the best way to ensure that everyone stays safe in an emergency, including your canine companion. Remember to also include your pet in home fire drills so everyone is prepared for how to handle your dog in case a fire ever does happen. Knowing that you can also stay safe is sure to give your human family members peace of mind.
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