It's pet fire safety day, which seems quite well timed with the current temperature levels, so it's a good time to look at how you can keep your loved ones safe.
Dogs can be fire alarms themselves, with us often hearing stories about how a dog has woken their family in the middle of the night to smoke and saved everyone's lives. We love them back and want to do our best to protect them, so here's some tips on how we can keep our pups (and other pets) safe from fire.
Training
Training is important for many reasons, but in this instance it can help your dog follow your direction and also not get up to mischief. In case of emergency, you want your dog to quickly get in their harness, let you put their collar/lead on, and follow you calmly to safety. Not all dogs get excited when they see a lead (to Parker it's like crack) and it's essential to try and train them to associate this with something positive as you don't want to be worrying about this in an emergency.
Some dogs can get up to mischief when left to their own devices, and it has been known for dogs to knock on ovens when they jump to get something. If your pup is a jumper/sniffer/all round monkey, it's worth keeping them out of these rooms when you aren't around or training them that they don't jump up (easier said than done for some breeds I know!).
Smoke Alarms (and other safety devices)
Of course for everyone's safety we should all have a fire alarm fitted (I believe you can ask your local fire station to fit it for free if you are unable to do so). There is also absolutely nothing stopping you from having a fire extinguisher in your own home, which you may consider if you like cooking with oil. If like me the thought of using one terrifies you, you can get small 150ml spray cans now which I have been thinking of getting. If you are worried about your dog being at home alone and a fire breaking out, you can also get alarms that trigger your phone and/or notify the local fire station so they can get there as soon as possible.
Use our noggins
A lot can be said for common sense (even though sometimes it isn't that common). Keep your candles out of paws reach, don't leave dogs unattended around fire pits in the garden, avoid keeping things that could turn into kindling near to fire (don't keep your post by the oven, for example), and be mindful of how you store things in your home and garden.
Make sure your dog is chipped
Parker doesn't wear his collar indoors, and you bet if we have to run outside from a raging fire I wouldn't faff around to get it either as my priority would be to get him to safety. I have every confidence he wouldn't run away but on the off chance he did, I know that a vet could scan him and reunite us - which I would definitely need if I'd just lost my home to a fire!
Have an evacuation plan
Even when I was in the rodent section of my pet life I had an evacuation plan for my guinea pigs and hamsters, with enough containers for all to be housed safely if I needed to make a run for it or stand outside in the middle of the night in my pjs. It's something we never want to think about, but how much will you beat yourself up if the worst happens and someone doesn't make it out? It doesn't need to be a documented plan, it can just be in your head, but it's good to think about it.
For example, I know Parker would just follow me outside no questions. He's always up for everything. I can't pee without him being there. However, you may have an elderly dog or a shy dog that may hide. How are you planning on coaxing him out? Perhaps you live in a flat and your pooch wouldn't make it down fire ladders, or your dog sleeps downstairs in a crate far away from you. Think ahead and know that if it happens, you're all making it to safety. No dog left behind!
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