Pet Fire Safety Day

July 15th is National Pet Fire Safety Day! We hope that none of our clients ever have to experience the trauma and loss caused by house fires. However, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. There’s no such thing as taking too many precautions when it comes to fires! Read on as a local Oconomowoc, WI vet discusses pet fire safety.

Pets start over a thousand fires a year, on average. This is a great time to look around your house and check for potential hazards. Candles are definitely a big one for people with pets. If you burn candles, keep them in high, secure spots that your furry pal can’t reach. You’ll also want to be careful with space heaters: it’s very easy for pets to knock them over. If you have a gas stove and a large dog, we recommend getting some childproof knobs. Fido has been known to accidentally turn burners on by knocking into them. Also, if you have a deck, and you leave water bowls outside for your pet, don’t use glass bowls. They can actually start fires! Last but not least, keep in mind that some pets have a habit of chewing on wires and cords. This can be very dangerous for your four-legged friend. It can also be a fire risk. If you can’t keep cords out of paws’ reach, use protective coverings and/or taste deterrent to make them less appealing to your pet.

Make sure your smoke detectors are all working. You may also want to consider getting a monitored fire alarm. That way, if something happens while you’re out, emergency services will still be notified.

Firefighters usually try to help pets if they can. In fact, first responders often go above and beyond to help our animal companions. Get some window stickers, and include your pet’s information on them. You’ll want to note what kind of pets you have, how many pets you have, and where they tend to hide.

Make sure your pet is microchipped, and wearing ID tags. If there is a fire, and your furry buddy runs off in the chaos, this can make a huge difference, and can help someone link—and reunite—you and your beloved pet!

Please reach out to us, your local Oconomowoc, WI vet clinic, anytime. We’re here to help!