Keeping Pets Safe in Fairview House Fires

6/29/2017 (Permalink)

Gresham home fire tips to keep your furry family safe!

July 15, 2017 is National Pet Fire Safety Day! The following are tips to prevent fires that pets may cause and what to have to be prepared for an emergency.

Prevention:

• Extinguish open flames: Pets are generally curious and investigate open flames such as candles.
• “Baby proof” your home: When your pet is left unattended, consider keeping them confined from potential fire It is advised to keep pets in a crate or behind baby gates to secure the area. Some pets, especially puppies and kittens, will chew electrical cords or loose wire when left alone.
• Remove or lock stove knobs: According to the National Fire Protection Association, a stove or cooktop is the #1 piece of equipment involved in your pet starting a fire.
• Remove glass water bowls from wooden decks: The rays of sun, when filtered through glass water bowl, may ignite the wooden deck below. Instead, use bowls made from ceramic or stainless steel.

Be prepared for an emergency:

• Get a rescue alert sticker: These stickers should be placed on a front-facing window, and will alert rescue workers of the presence of pets in your home.
• Arrange a safe place to house your pets after an emergency: Local and state safety and health regulations do not allow pets to be housed in Red Cross Disaster shelters. Keep a list of pet friendly places to stay. These could be with: friends, relatives, pet-friendly hotels, boarding facilities, or veterinarians.
• Make sure your pet is wearing proper identification: There is a chance your pet may be lost following a disaster. Make sure your pet wears up to date contact information at all times.

Make an emergency preparedness kit:

Have a kit made and keep it in a safe place, either by the door or in your car. Your kit should include supplies for up to seven days.

• Medication and medical records
• Leashes, hardness or carrier
• Current photo in case your pet gets lost
• Bedding and toys
• Bowls, cat litter, and litter pan
• Emergency contact information
• Food, bottled water, and a can opener

SERVPRO of Gresham wants to ensure you and your furry families stay safe in an emergency. To learn more about our services, go HERE, or call us today at (503) 665-7752.