Pet Fire Safety Day is July 15th

National Pet Fire Safety Day falls on July 15th, 2017, and our team at Trinity Pet Hospital would like to provide some advice on keeping pets safe in the event of a house fire. In addition to making sure your home's smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries, there are a few additional precautions you can take that are specific to protecting your furry friends.

Pet Fire Safety Tips From Our Laguna Hills Veterinarian

While nobody ever anticipates a house fire will happen to them, our Laguna Hills veterinarian would like all pet owners to take the necessary precautions.

Pet-Proof Your Home to Prevent Fires

While not likely, it is possible for pets to contribute to house fires. For example, your curious cat might knock over a lit candle, or your dog may even turn your oven on when trying to jump up to a nearby counter. Take some steps to "pet-proof" your home from fires, such as making sure to keep candles out of reach and never leaving a pet unattended in the kitchen.

Put an Alert Sticker on Home Windows

In the event of a house fire, make sure firefighters and rescue crews are aware that there are pets inside your home that need saving (especially if the fire occurs while you're not home). There are stickers and decals that can be placed on windows to alert rescuers to the number and type of pets in your home. If you don't have these in your home, now is a great time to grab a few from your local pet supply store and place them around your home.

Always Have Leashes and Carriers Ready

Time is precious when a house fire breaks out, and the last thing you want is to be scrambling to find your pet's leash or carrier in order to secure them and get them out of the house safely. Make sure you always know the location of your pets' leashes and carriers and keep them nearby and easily accessible in the event of an emergency. In a worst-case scenario, be prepared to carry your pet(s) to safety without a leash or crate.

Make Sure Pets Have an Escape Route

Anytime you leave your pets home alone, make sure they have access to some kind of escape route in the event of a fire. This means you should never leave them in a locked room without any windows. While it is not guaranteed that your pet will be able to escape, you'll want to make sure they have the best chances possible in the event of a fire.

Protecting your pets from fire is an important responsibility and one that should not be taken lightly. For more information and tips on protecting your pet's health and wellness, contact our team at Trinity Pet Hospital. You can reach us at (949) 768-1314 to schedule an appointment or get more information about our practice.