Do you have a plan for your pet in the event of a fire at your home? According to the Red Cross home fires are the most common disaster and also the most preventable. You need to protect not only yourself but your pets in case of fire. Here are some very important fire safety tips from the Pet First Aid App:
Make sure you have a working smoke alarm on every floor of your home. It’s easy to forget to remember to change out batteries if you don’t have hardwired alarms. A great way to remember is to test your smoke alarms when you change your clocks twice a year for daylight savings time.
Make sure your pets are included in your emergency and disaster plans.
Practice evacuation routes with your pets—make sure you are able to get them and you to safety.
Every major door and window to your home should have an “in case of emergency” sticker that contains the number and types of pets in the home—and make sure it’s up to date.
Know where you could bring your pet in an emergency.
Have your carriers and/or leashes readily available. In an emergency is not the time to have to hunt them down.
Know where your pets hide in case of loud noises. Test the alarm on your smoke detector and see how your pets react to it.
Practice retrieving your pet from their hiding place quickly
Small towels or blankets can be used to safely exit with a small dog or cat
Make sure all collars have your information/number on them
Have information readily available with your pets vaccinations and vet info on it in case you need to board your pet.
Keep pets away from fire hazards such as space heaters, stove tops etc that can easily start a fire.
Practice these things and you will be well prepared in an actual emergency.