Today is National Pet Fire Safety Day, so let me ask you a question –
What’s your plan for your pets in the event of a fire and YOU’RE NOT THERE?
Don’t really have one?
Don’t beat yourself up, I didn’t have one either…
But thanks to the American Kennel Club along with ADT Security Services, I am now working my plan!
Together they designated this day – July 15th – to raise national awareness for pet owners about the potential risks our pets face if they’re left home alone and a fire breaks out.
An estimated 500,000 pets are affected annually by home fires, however, nearly 1,000 house fires each year are accidentally started by the homeowners’ pets Source: AKC
PREVENT YOUR PET FROM STARTING FIRES –
- Extinguish open flames – Pets are curious. Ensure your pet is not left unattended around an open flame and make sure to thoroughly extinguish any open flame before leaving your home.
- Remove stove knobs – According to the National Fire Protection Association, a stove or cook top is the number one piece of equipment involved in your pet starting a fire.
- Invest in flameless candles – Cats are notorious for starting fires when their tails turn over lit candles.
- Beware of water bowls on wooden decks – Do not leave a glass water bowl for your pet outside on a wooden deck. The sun’s rays when filtered through the glass and water can actually heat up and ignite the wooden deck beneath it.
Regardless to “how a fire gets started” – how will the firefighters know they’re in the house alone?
MOMMA USED TO SAY –
Sometimes you’ve just got to go search for the answers. So that’s what I did.
I took the Boys to my local Fire Station and talked to the man in charge…
We talked about those “tips to keep your pet safe” and I even mentioned those window clings so many websites promote.
WHAT’S A WINDOW CLING? –
You know those florescent glow in the dark pet alert stickers. You strategically place them in the windows to inform firefighters how many pets are inside the home. You can order them online from dozens of different sites.
Our firefighter friend was extremely honest. He reminded me that in a fire –
- windows get hot – cling will stop clinging
- windows break – there goes the window cling
And this one made me gasp – many times firefighters look for pets based on a window cling to find out there are no pets in the home. The cling belonged to the previous family.
We certainly can’t have our firefighters risking their lives for something that’s not there. #justsaying
As crazy as this sounds, I asked if a home owner could register their pets at their local fire station.
Here’s my thought – if a fire started at my address, the computer screen would show “pets in the residence.” #itcouldhappen
Concerned and not completely sold on the window cling, I wanted a solution that would remove that panic feeling I was now carrying around.
GOTTA LOVE A PET BLOGGER –
A few days later – I see a blog post from a friend…
My Brown Newfies & Me wrote a product review on the Leeo Smart Alert.
Here’s a simple plug-in alarm that –
- Monitors existing smoke, CO and water* alarms and alerts you if they go off
- Alerts you via in-app or push notifications and automated phone calls
- Provides your local emergency service phone number in app or by text
- Calls friends and family for backup if you don’t respond to alert notifications
- Beautiful color adjustable nightlight design to fit your mood or decor
- You’ve got to check this blog post out. Jennifer has witnessed this in action (no fire) and I’m hooked.
HURRY –
Jen has a give-away with only a few days left, you could be a lucky winner of your very own Leeo Smart Alert.
If you ask me – with or without pets, it’s a nice to have.
I’ve registered 🙂 If I don’t win, I plan to order my very own.
Please don’t think I’m poo-pooing on the window cling. #lookingformore
The Boys rely solely on us for their safety, so I want to do all that I can for them.
Make this a great weekend – be kind to someone ❤️
July 15, 2016
Holy crap Cathy! I never thought about the cling melting or the window breaking! That is crazy and makes me love my Leeo even more! I also love your idea about registering your pets with the local fire dept. That is genius! And you’re right, we do need to keep our firemen safe!
Thanks for the shout out! I’m still floored about this!
July 15, 2016
I need to try to win a Leeo from Jen, too! And seriously consider registering the girls at our firehouse. I read somewhere else about the problems with the window clings, too.
July 15, 2016
We’ve never been real gung ho about the window cling. Perhaps a sign out front stating pets inside would be more useful? Those security system sign types only stating pets inside.
July 15, 2016
Pets certainly can start fires. I’ve met at least 2 kitties at my local animal shelter that ended up homeless when they started fires in the homes they lived in. Gah. Having a plan is such a smart idea. And can I suggest a low-tech idea? Get to know your neighbors and let them know your pets. They might be able to help (including calling you!), if there’s a fire in your home.
Jean from Welcome to the Menagerie
July 15, 2016
Times like this when you gotta love technology! Way to go.
July 15, 2016
That alarm looks really neat. Mr. N can’t really reach anything to start fires. We know most of our neighbors and they’d contact us if there was a problem but I still worry!
July 16, 2016
Great post and too never thought about the window clings. Like the registering with fire department
July 18, 2016
Great information! Tips that all pet owners should know.
July 19, 2016
Thanks Stacy! Nice to meet you.. Please come back again soon… 🙂
July 18, 2016
Oh, I hadn’t made it over to read Jen’s post yet, so thanks for the heads up (I didn’t know there was a giveaway)! I worry so much about a fire when we’re not home. I guess the window cling is still a good idea, but you just have to know that it’s not fool proof and a back up plan is definitely in order.
I’m thinking now about the window clings at our house we just sold, probably the new owners wouldn’t even think to update or remove them (I believe they do have a dog)!