Pet Fire Safety Tips
Fire. It’s destructive and lethal when it comes into our lives uninvited, especially when it hits in our homes. Firefighters do their best to save both humans and pets, knowing that most victims succumb to smoke inhalation.
Here’s an interesting fact from a Newsday article acknowledging the Canine Fence Company of Wilton, CT for donating 75 pet oxygen masks for use by local fire departments:
Most of the more than 40,000 pet deaths in U.S. fires in 2006 resulted from the absence of a reliable way for emergency responders to supply pets with oxygen, Cuthbertson said.
I would have thought human oxygen masks would work, but that’s not the case.
Masks designed for humans have been used, but since they don’t fit well around a pet’s snout the animal isn’t “getting the full saturation of oxygen,” said James Logan, the town’s chief fire marshal.
Kudos to the Canine Fence Company for doing their part.
So what can you do to prepare for a fire emergency, outside of ensuring you have working fire alarms throughout your home? DogDayAfterNews is here to help with some great tips on pet fire safety.
- Keep your pet’s current license and vaccination tags on his or her collar to help with identification in case you become separated. The best way to ensure easy identification is to have your pet micro-chipped.
- Do not keep burning candles or flammable materials at a level where pets can knock them over.
- Pay close attention any time you are burning candles. Dogs do not blister when they burn and take a long time to heal, so it is very important for you to be aware of where they are when you have candles lit.
- Keep electrical cords out of your pet’s reach to prevent chewing, which could shock your pet or cause a fire .
- Prepare an emergency kit with important financial and personal information. Include your pet’s medical records and food.
- Have a plan for a friend, family member, or boarding kennel to take care of your pet on short notice in case of an emergency.
- Use a Pet Alert rescue sticker to help make firefighters aware of your pets.
- Make sure your pet doesn’t play with matches.
OK, that last one was added by me : )
Be good and stay safe!
Since pets come in all sizes, is there a way to purchase these masks? Sizes?
yes we want some of thses and all so what sizes and where to we buy them
thanks
Pepper
Mom found some on the Firefighters Blog.
She also called Nancy at HELP Animals, they are expecting Tropical Storm Faye and she said I was lucky to have caught her. You may want to call on Thursday.
Their URL is http://www.helpanimalsinc.org/
I ordered 3 sets for our local fire department. She believes in people and will bill you for them…. (total for three sets
$ 160.00 plus shipping)
She will tell you her mom saw this on Animal Planet and decided that was the business to be in. She also offers to people in her area low or subsided cost spay and neuter for animals.
Also, when donating to the fire department please let them know they are reuseable, unlike the types used for hoomans.
Hope this helps!!
Coco & Kim
I recently posted to my blog about the important of leash training your dog in the event someone needs to get them out due to an emergency such as a fire. The availability of oxygen masks for our pets should be announced at the FIrst Aid/CPR classes for dogs/cats offered through the Red Cross.
Thanks!
Gayle
[...] year there was a fire and people were scrambling to get their dogs out safely. You can imagine how easy it is to put a [...]
Fire safety for dogs is a subject that is not mentioned often enough in relation to pets. Thanks Coco & Kim for the great follow-up information on purchasing the masks!
I keep a spare leash in our bedroom in case of emergency and I have to get Pogo out in a hurry and we have to go through a bedroom window. I also keep all her paperwork in a little filing system I have near my bed. Not taking any chances with my precious little girl
Okay, I’m stupid. Where is the firefighters blog? I really want to get one of those for my dog!
This is very interesting..
we use battery powered tea lights instead of real candles to lessen the chances of fires and keeps our kitties from getting burnt/ singed by the flames
Where do you get one of those Pet Alert Stickers?
i thank you for saveing that dog
Make sure your pet doesn’t play with matches????
this isssue is very close to our heart since we were involed in a fire and lost everything this april. make sure your somke detors are up to date. Make sure that you keep all your vet records in two places. i laned up at the emcney vet with non trying to fill in gaps. Make sure you keep a spare set of things you will need food/ littler box the next thing is make sure your pet is mirico chiped thats will help in idfiction put sings up on your window in my case they did not fid my 3 babbys till 3 days latter i was so scard.