Observe National Pet Fire Safety Day With These 5 Steps

In many places, summer is the start of fire season, which increases the likelihood of house fires. To ensure that pet owners are prepared if their household were to be affected by a fire, the American Kennel Club founded National Pet Fire Safety Day, observed on July 15th. The AKC has noted that the day was established as a way to “educate pet owners about potential risks when pets are left home alone.” Here at Woof Republic, we think one of the best ways to observe National Pet Fire Safety Day is to go over some steps that can help you and your pooch be as safe as possible.

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Pup Proof Your House 

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Wildfires are not the only cause of house fires. Candles and frayed wires can also lead to some massive issues. For this reason, it is a necessity to puppy-proof your home. If you do decide to light a candle, make sure to blow it out each time you walk away from it.

Some pooches may be unaware that cables and cords are not, in fact, super fun chew toys. So that your pup does not fray any wires, secure your items so they are not within your dog’s reach. You can either protect your cords with a spiral wrap cable or hide them in cable clips. 

Pack an Emergency Kit For Your Pup 

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It’s always important to have an emergency kit on hand for your dog, just in case you need to evacuate. Make sure that you have all your dog’s medications, paperwork, a collar, a leash, extra bedding, a few toys, food bowls, biodegradable waste bags, jugs of water, and enough food that will last your dog for a week or two. We recommend purchasing a pre-made first aid kit for dogs because it can be time-consuming to make your own. If you decide that you would like to gather your own supplies, talk with your pet’s veterinarian to get their input on what exactly you should pack.

Have An Evacuation Plan 

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I have lived in Southern California most of my life, and there have been quite a few times where my family has needed to evacuate due to wildfires. Thankfully, we were able to stay with family members who had no problem with our dog. However, not everyone has this luxury. 

If you can afford to stay in a hotel for an extended period, do some research to see which places allow canine companions. If you feel like you may have to stay at a shelter, it’s in your best interest to make a quick phone call to see how the facility feels about dogs. On the chance that your furry friend is not welcome, you should consider boarding them at a kennel. If that is also not an option, see if local shelters or rescue groups would be willing to find a foster family for your dog until you are reunited again. 

Be Careful With Fireplaces 

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Fireplaces can be potentially dangerous for you and your pooch. Make sure your dog's bedding and toys are nowhere near the fireplace, as those items can be extremely flammable.

Purchase A Monitored Smoke Detector

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Unfortunately, most pet owners are unable to be at home with their pets 24/7. This means that you may not be aware of your precious pooch is in danger. For this reason, it may be in your best interest to purchase a monitored smoke detector. According to the ASPCA,  these devices will make sure that “firefighters will be notified and can respond” if there is a fire and “you’re not home.”