Take these tips to practice pet fire safety and reduce evacuation time.
Emergencies can occur at any moment and can arrive in several ways. While we might not entirely prevent such events from happening, we can prepare ourselves and our pets. In honor of National Pet Fire Safety Day on July 15, we’ve compiled a list of essential tips for keeping your pet safe from the unexpected.
Pet Fire Safety Tips
- Monitored smoke detectors are always a great choice. If a fire starts, firefighters will know and can respond quickly, even if you’re not at your home.
- It’s crucial to know where your pet likes to nap or hide in case you need to evacuate your home quickly.
- Make sure to keep an emergency plan and practice escape routes with your pet and other family members.
- Also, keep a local animal hospital’s contact information and address in case your pet gets hurt.
- Ensure there are no areas in your home where your pet may start a fire accidentally. In addition, never leave your pet unattended with a lit candle or fireplace.
Evacuation with Your Pet
Ideally, your pet will go with you if you need to evacuate. Remember that not all shelters accept pets, so you must know where you will bring your pet ahead of time.
- Contact your veterinarian for a list of shelters or boarding facilities.
- Determine if your local animal shelter provides emergency shelter or foster care for pets.
- Search for motels or hotels that accept pets.
- See if your friends or family members in your area would be able to take in your pet.
Be Prepared with Emergency Supplies and Traveling Safety Kits
If you must evacuate your home during a crisis, always plan for the worst-case scenario. Assume you might not be allowed to return for multiple weeks, even if you are gone for only a day. So, take these tips to practice pet fire safety and reduce evacuation time:
- Ensure your pet always wears a collar with up-to-date identification information tags. Also, your pet’s ID tag should have your contact information and any urgent medical needs.
- Consider implanting a microchip under your pet’s skin as a more permanent form of identification.
- Maintain an emergency kit and leashes nearby an exit. This kit should include a small amount of food and any important medications for your pets. Plus, determine everyone in the household knows the kit’s location and make sure it’s labeled and effortless to carry.
Here at Mount Carmel Animal Hospital, We’ll Treat Your Pets Like Family!
Mount Carmel Animal Hospital has been serving the Northern Baltimore/Southern York community for over 30 years and is proud to be an independently operated, small animal practice committed to excellence in veterinary medicine and client service. From grooming to wellness services, along with Canine Life Skills Training Courses, and surgical procedures, we have the expertise that will best serve the needs of you and your pet. Contact us at 410-343-0200 and follow us on Facebook!