National Pet Fire Safety Day
Keep yourself and your furry friends safe by taking stock of potential pet-caused fire hazards, and puppy, kitty, or other pet-proofing your home.
People who have pets as members of their family love them and want to take care of them in the best possible way. But many people don’t realize that they need to consider in advance how they would make sure their pets are kept safe and sound if they ever had a fire.
Learn about and observe National Pet Fire Safety Day to get on board with making sure those pets get the best possible protocol for keeping them safe in the event of a fire!
History of National Pet Fire Safety Day
The combined efforts of the American Kennel Club and ADT Security Services led to the first National Pet Fire Safety Day being held for the first time in 2009. The idea behind the event is to make pet owners aware of the hazards their beloved cat, dog, or other animals could pose in the home with regard to fire.
Statistics show that approximately 500,000 pets are affected by home fires each and every year, with many of them not surviving. The large majority of people consider their pets to be an important part of their family, and they certainly don’t want to lose them during the trauma of a house fire or other emergency.
As it turns out, pets are not only at risk if a fire starts elsewhere, but many fires in the home can also be caused by pets. This is especially when pets are left alone on a property. The intention of National Pet Fire Safety Day is that by highlighting the dangers to owners, it can also help in preventing them.
How to Celebrate National Pet Fire Safety Day
Show those pets how much they are cared for by observing National Pet Fire Safety Day with some helpful ideas to spread the word and raise awareness for the day:
Create a Fire Safety Plan
Pet owners should take advantage of National Pet Fire Safety Day to discuss who in a home is responsible for helping a pet escape in the event of a blaze. In addition, to be sure to keep that fur baby safe, it would be a good idea for the family to carry out some practice escape drills, just to be sure everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency. That way, everyone can rest assured that Fido and Felix will get the care they need, allowing the humans to avoid taking any unnecessary risks as well.
Prepare the Home for Fire Safety
People who want to participate in National Pet Fire Safety Day can also use Kennel Club advice to pet proof their home against fires. For instance, it might be a good time to install a pet alert notice in a window for use by emergency services. Many local firehouses around the United States will give out free window clings as part of the celebration of the day.
Another way to make a home fire safe for pets might be to leave extra leashes by spare exits to be used in case of a fire. Assemble an emergency kit that includes information like the name and address of the family veterinarian, some extra food, a copy of the pet’s medical history and health insurance card, a small supply of any vital pet medications, a photo of the pet (in case it runs away) and any other pertinent information that would be useful in an emergency.
Raise Awareness for National Pet Fire Safety Day
Not only is this a good day for each person to make sure their own pets are taken care of, but it’s also an important time for folks to share their knowledge and raise awareness for National Pet Fire Safety Day. Show support by talking up the day to friends, family and coworkers, sharing pictures on social media. And teachers might want to invite a local fireman into the classroom to chat about it with the students.
