No one wants to imagine his or her house on fire, but you need to take the time to prepare for this in the event it happens. Fires are horrible, but they’re ten times worse for your pets because of their smaller lung capacity. They’re more susceptible to smoke inhalation, and because they don’t understand what’s happening to them during a fire, this can be a traumatic event. Preventing fires in the first place is paramount because firefighters aren’t going to endanger human lives for family pets.

Some strategies to reduce the chance of a fire happening in your house include:

  • Never leave pets unattended with burning candles, oil lamps, or a lit fireplace.
  • Be sure to use all electrical and heating equipment properly.
  • Never leave food cooking on the stove unattended.
  • Keep your pets away from outdoor grilling areas and hot coals.
  • Keep fire tools such as lighters and matches in a secure place away from pets and children.
  • Have the proper size fire extinguisher in your kitchen and know how to use it.
  • Make sure all fireplaces have fireguards to prevent pets from dropping toys in the fire and/or getting too close to the flames.
  • Space heaters should be kept at least three feet away from your pet’s bedding.
  • Never alter or remove any of the protective devices on a space heater.

FIRE ESCAPE PLAN

You need to have an evacuation plan practiced by the whole family. When developing this plan, include your pets as family members, but remember that they are going to be frightened and may act differently during an emergency situation, so you need to keep your own safety in mind as well. One way to keep your pet safe is to have them sleep in your room, because you could be overcome by smoke in the process of searching for your pets.

You should confine your pets for safety; they will be less frightened if they are unable to see the fire. Transporting cats means putting them in their carriers, if available, or a box or pillowcase if that’s all you have access to at the time. For dogs, you can snap on a leash or carry them. Know your pets’ sleeping and hiding places, because during a fire your pets will be frightened and may hide.

The following tips will aid you in developing a fire escape plan for your family and pets:

  • Make sure that each room where someone sleeps has a working smoke detector, and that there is one in each hallway. Check them monthly to make sure they are working. Have fire ladders available at second-story escape windows.
  • Make sure your house numbers are clearly visible and can easily be seen from the street.
  • Draw a simple house floor plan for each floor of your home. It doesn’t have to be to scale, but should include all windows and doors. Mark the first and easiest way out of every room in your house—this is usually a door and is typically the way you enter the room. Using a different color, mark the second way out of every room—this is usually a window and should be the second most direct way out of the room to the outside. Avoid going through other rooms if possible.
  • Walk through your plan and check every window you marked to make sure it opens properly. Check every door and make sure it can be opened easily as well. Make sure that exit doors to the outside don’t have landscaping or other items that make them hard to use as an exit.
  • Choose a meeting place in front of your house that’s next to something permanent, like a tree, lamppost, neighbor’s porch, or mailbox. Don’t choose automobiles or boats as they may be moved.
  • Make sure everyone understands that once you are out of the house, you stay out. No one should go back into the house for any
  • Be sure to put in your plan where your pet carriers and leashes are, and if possible have something available in every room in which to transport your pet, like a pillowcase, trash can, or carrier. Identify these items and where they are located.
  • Have a readily accessible first aid kit and an evacuation kit available for each pet.
  • Hold a family meeting to review the plan and explain to each person what his or her role is. Designate family members to be in charge of removing pets.
  • Post the plan in a place where the whole family can view it on a regular basis, such as the refrigerator or in an office on a bulletin board.
  • Review and practice your plan at least twice a year. Hold fire drills. Pets should be part of the drills. Having them participate is a good opportunity for everyone to practice the plan, ask questions, and get your pets used to being quickly removed from the house. Have family members start the drill from their beds. Time your drills and try to beat your family’s current record.
  • In case you’re not home when a fire breaks out, be sure to have fire stickers clearly visible that let firefighters know there are animals in the house (but be sure to remove the stickers if you move from the house).