“Not many pet owners realize that their pet can actually be the cause of a devastating fire,” said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. “Simple preventative measures, such as flameless candles and removing stove knobs when leaving the house, can mean the difference between life and death for your four-legged friends.”
“Planning for unexpected emergencies like home fires and taking these precautions are an integral part of responsible dog ownership,” Peterson said.
The following tips can prevent your beloved pet from starting a fire, and keep them safe:
- Extinguish open flames
- Remove stove knobs -- stoves/cooktops are the number one cause of pet started fires
- Invest in flameless candles
- Beware of water bowls on wooden decks -- the sun’s rays when filtered through the glass and water can actually heat up and ignite the wooden deck beneath it.
- Pet proof the home
- Keep pets near entrances when away from home -- so firefighters can easily find them
- Secure young pets
- Practice escape routes with pets
- Consider using monitored smoke detection services
- Affix a pet alert window cling
The clings are also free online at www.adt.com/pets.
More information also available from aspca.org
